I had ears that stuck out when I was a child and I never noticed them until I got to grade 3 and the other kids started picking on me. I never told my parents because I did not know that anything could be done about them, all I did was stop wearing my hair up.

When I got to 13 I watched a program that showed a person getting otoplasty and I wanted it BADLY! My parents booked us in to see a plastic surgeon but freaked out after the consult so I never got it done. I went through high school trying to find different ways to hide my ears, and at one stage even used super glue to stick them to my head so I could wear my hair up. This stopped after the skin behind my ears started peeling off when I removed the glue.

When I turned 24 I finally organized for the surgery myself and have never been happier.

In the end, my parents did what they thought was best for me as they didnt see my concerns as being valid. To them I was perfect and they didn't understand what damage a few kids name calling could do.

Now, with my own daughter, I am going to keep an eye on her ears so that what happened to me doesn't happen to her. I will not put her through surgury just for the sake of it, but if she ever asks it will be considered.

Because of the (possible) psychological impact of having "bat ears", otoplasty is coved by Medicare and if you have private health insurance they will cover the hospital stay and any gaps.