The Chronicles of Narnia is a beloved fantasy series that many kids have fond memories of. The first book in the series was also turned into a movie, with child actress Georgie Henley in a breakout role as Lucy Pevensie. She recently revealed how she almost died when she was 18.
The actress, who played Lucy in the Disney flick when she was only 10, shared a statement on Twitter recently. She was hit by a rare bacterial infection during the time she was 18, something that could’ve claimed her life.
Georgie Henley tells all
Because of the infection, the Narnia star suffered scars on her arms. She got skin grafts and revealed how her doctors took various measures to avoid amputation.
“When I was eighteen years old and in my sixth week of university, I contracted necrotising fasciitis, a rare and punishing infection that nearly claimed my life and wrought havoc throughout my body,” she wrote. “In order to prevent the amputation of my left hand and arm I received grueling invasive surgery, and later extensive reconstructive surgery which resulted in a series of skin grafts and scars.”
What is the actress up to?
Currently, Georgie Henley starred in The Spanish Princess as the sister to Henry VIII.
In her professional role as an actress, she chooses to hide her scars. But this is the first time she has chosen to share her injuries with the public.
She says:
“It has taken me a long time to heal both physically and mentally, but I hoped that one day there would be the right time to talk about what happened. Today is a start. For the last nine years, I have been open about my scars in my personal life, but I have hidden them entirely in any professional context: wearing bandages or coverings, makeup on set and stage, long sleeves whenever I might be photographed, trousers so I could put my hand in my pocket.”
Georgie Henley hopes that her example is going to inspire a lot of girls about not hiding who they are.
