Mark Cropp, a young man from New Zealand, was serving a two-year, three-month sentence for a failed drug sale. One night, while drunk on homemade alcohol made from fermented apples, bread, and sugar, he and his brother made a decision that would change Mark’s life forever. They decided to tattoo his face. Using ink made from melted toy knives, forks, and toothpaste, they etched the word “Devast8” across Mark’s entire face, including his jaw and lower face. When Mark was released from prison, he quickly realized the negative impact of

My husband and I had big plans for my 30th birthday. But when the day came, he ditched me to see his favorite band. Little did he know, I was about to give him a taste of his own medicine. Turning thirty felt like a big deal. The last time I tried celebrating my birthday, I ended up with COVID-19 during a stay at my grandparents’ timeshare. So, this year, I wanted something special. “Alex, I really want to do something special for my 30th,” I kept hinting to my

After a decade of marriage, my life fell apart when my husband, Luke, unexpectedly announced he wanted a divorce. His reasons were unclear—he felt unhappy and wanted to prioritize his career—but what shocked me even more was his insistence on remaining in our shared home. “We can’t afford to sell the house right now,” Luke explained, seemingly unaware of the emotional havoc he was wreaking. “We’ll share the space until we figure things out.” Caught off guard, I had always believed our marriage was strong, despite its usual challenges. Now,