Georgie Henley, who played Lucy Pevensie in “The Chronicles of Narnia” film trilogy, revealed on Tuesday that when she was in college, a rare bacterial infection nearly led to the amputation of her right arm. After a series of “grueling” surgeries and grafts, doctors were able to save it, but she was left with scarring that she concealed from the public for nearly 10 years.
The actress, who is now 27, shared a photo to Twitter of herself showing off the scars on her arm, along with the caption, “finally free.”
In the accompanying screenshots, she wrote, “When I was eighteen years old and in my sixth year of university, I contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and punishing infection that nearly claimed my life and wrought havoc throughout my body. In order to prevent the amputation on 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.”
She added that while people close to her know about her scars, in “any professional context,” she would cover her right arm and hand.
“The truth is there is no such thing as ‘perfection,’ but I have still lived with the shame of feeling different, exacerbated by the expectations that came with beginning my career at a young age,” wrote the actress, who also starred in “The Spanish Princess” and “Perfect Sisters.”
Henley added, “But my scars are not something to be ashamed of. They are a map of the pain my body has endured, and most importantly, a reminder of my survival. They do not affect my capacity as an actor and I’m proud to be a person who has visible scars in this industry.”
She thanked her family, friends, and the staff of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, England. Henley concluded her post with, “I’m sure I will talk more about my experiences in the future, but today I am simply happy to feel, for the first time in a very long time, finally free.”
Henley played Lucy in three films based on the C.S. Lewis Narnia novels: “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005), “Prince Caspian” (2008), and “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (2010).
