In 2023 I kicked off a project that I thought might lead to some serious conversations and interesting photos called “the Scar Project”. It all started loosely in TJ/San Diego by the US border, when I stopped at a skate shop called Dirty Hands/Manos Sucias near my hotel. There were a handful of people hanging out and still drunk from celebrating a birthday at the infamous Hong Kong Club the night before. It was 10am, and they all had beer in hand.
The owner was super cool, and busy hand painting skateboard decks when I walked in and after a short introduction was taking pictures scars from stab wounds, a b-hole, and a really gnarly scar from a fractured ankle. It was a mixed bag, but it was an interesting way to start my day with skateboarders talking about scars and getting invited to seedy bars. That's a win in my book.
Since then, I have changed the name loosely to “Injury Prone” and recorded dozens of interviews with people who have survived botched surgeries, skateboarding accidents, and getting hit by cars. It’s been a wild ride, and I’ve got lots more that I can’t wait to share. Follow along on social media for highlights.
Also, Tijuana gets a bad reputation and in fairness it’s not the safest place on earth, but my time there was great, and other than a road rage incident in a car with an armed Uber driver, it was totally safe. If you’re interested in learning more about it, check out the Expats in Tijuana group on Facebook.
If you or anyone you know has a story to share about a scar have them get in touch. It doesn’t have to be bloody or gnarly. One of the best stories I’ve heard so far was about someone in their 20s falling off of a toilet…sober.
Cheers!
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