Dad disfigured me and refuses to address it- i accidentally make his fiancé leave him. AITAH?

How does a childhood accident turn into a lifelong source of pain when proper care could have prevented it? A 17-year-old girl has carried the weight of just such an experience, caused by her father’s decision to avoid medical help after a severe injury.

Years later, sharing her story honestly with her mother and unintentionally with his fiancée led to the engagement ending. Her father responded with blame and anger, leaving her to question her role while prioritizing her own healing.

‘Dad disfigured me and refuses to address it- i accidentally make his fiancé leave him. AITAH?’

The young woman begins by describing the childhood accident and its long-term consequences.

I’m a 17-year-old girl, and when I was younger I experienced an accident while staying with my dad. At the time, I didn’t receive proper medical follow-up, and over the...

She then explains recent conversations with her mother and the resulting family tension.

Recently, I opened up to my mom about these concerns, and she reacted strongly. This caused tension between my parents, and my dad assumed I was trying to reopen old...

In reality, I was only trying to understand my own health and think about what I might need in the future. While visiting my dad, his fiancée asked me about...

I never intended to influence her relationship decisions, but after that conversation she chose to reevaluate her future with my dad and ultimately called off the engagement.

Finally, she reflects on her father’s reaction and her own path forward.

When this happened, my dad became extremely upset and blamed me for the outcome. Hearing those words was deeply painful and left me emotionally shaken, especially since I had never...

After a lot of reflection, I’ve come to understand that being honest about my own experiences is not wrong. I’m not responsible for choices other people make based on their...

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Right now, I’m focusing on my education, my well-being, and the relationships that make me feel supported and safe. I can’t change the past, but I can choose how I...

The heart of the conflict lies in a father’s failure to seek medical care after his young daughter’s serious injury, resulting in permanent damage and pain. His ongoing denial and blame-shifting clashed with the daughter’s need for understanding and the fiancée’s reassessment of his character.

The father avoided accountability, possibly out of fear or shame, while expecting silence from his child. The daughter minimized the trauma to maintain peace. The fiancée prioritized her values upon learning the truth. Open communication exposed these mismatched expectations.

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Child psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy has stated that “Parents must model accountability for mistakes, especially those impacting children, to foster secure attachments.” (From parenting resources, 2023) This highlights how evasion here perpetuated harm and eroded trust.

Prioritize self-care through medical consultations for treatment options, even starting with assessments or waiting lists. Engage therapy specializing in childhood trauma to rebuild boundaries. Limit contact if interactions cause distress. Build support networks that validate experiences. Celebrate honesty as strength, not disruption.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Online users responded with strong support for the poster, emphasizing her father’s responsibility and encouraging her healing.

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Many affirmed she did nothing wrong and actually helped the fiancée.

GardenDivaESQ − Just go to the dentist and get a referral to an oral facial surgeon. Your dad’s a lost cause. It sounds like you’re pretty well adjusted considering. You...

[Reddit User] − You saved that poor woman. As other comments have said, this is something that can and should be sorted. NTA. Everyone here was great except your father,...

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Crazy4Swayze420 − NTA. Meh you didn't ruin his life he did. He hasn't changed and honestly this gives me she was already going to cancel everything and the talk with...

I will spell it out she wants kids but not with him so she left to find someone she does want to have kids with. It's pretty simple.

Nonby_Gremlin − NTA. You SAVED that woman and any potential baby, hold your head high. Your dad is 100% abusive and neglectful. It feels like you were dismissed and told...

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You’ve been repeatedly traumatized by that man. You DESERVE treatment and a boat load of therapy. Go ahead and get yourself on some wait lists now, things are backed up...

Several described the father’s actions as abuse and urged professional help.

JollyJeanGiant83 − Do me a favor. Imagine a child, a 6 year old. That younger sibling you imagined, or a friend's sibling. Then imagine your dad tried to do that...

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You deserved to be protected in that moment. You deserve to be protected now. Thank you for protecting his ex fiancee. NTA Please see a doctor sooner than later.

Even if you can't do in depth treatment right this second, more time to plan ahead and get on waiting lists is good.

Please also see a therapist to talk through your relationship with your dad, your relationship with pain, and your expectations around how you should be treated while sick or injured.

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Please do this before you start dating in uni. No one likes to think about this, but your past has likely not given you the boundaries and standards needed to...

And abusers look for people like that. If you can't manage a therapist, maybe try support groups for people who have lived with abusers.

Fit_Base2089 − NTA. Not getting you medical care after such a bad fall WAS abusive and neglectful of your father. It's not your job to make him feel better about...

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I just want to add that in your case, plastic surgery would not be a silly, vain thing. You have been disfigured, and, even worse, YOU ARE IN PAIN. Surgery...

Things tend to hurt more as you age, so I'm worried for you. theclosetenby − I wonder if your getting upset with your mom for yelling at your dad is...

We think that if we can manage the abusers emotions and keep them from getting more upset, that they won't hurt us.

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Between this and the story about your dad's current partner, it sounds like you're spending a lot of time trying to manage your father's emotions and save him from the...

I would like to really encourage you to get therapy, and look for someone who specializes with victims of child abuse.

I also really hope that you get the surgery you need to be pain-free. One day you're going to be very proud of yourself for being honest with the women...

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HorizonHunter1982 − Honey your relationship with your dad was getting better because you subjugated yourself and your needs to get along with him. You smashed your face lost teeth and...

What he did was 100% abuse and n__lect. There is no way to spin that otherwise which is why he had to tell you never to tell anyone. As soon...

Your father was using you as an accessory to prove that he could feel good about himself. I couldn't have been that bad my kids still comes to visit You...

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Others focused on the severity of neglect and long-term effects.

ImNotOld-ImSage − Your dad is a very classic case of a narcissist toxic parent. He is gaslighting you. You are not the reason she left him - he is. She...

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My parents n__lect also left me with a deformity that should have been dealt with in infancy - you do not move on from that, definitely not at 17! You...

As you get older and fix the issue - you might truly move on and forgive. But trust me - it takes time. You are not a bimbo or whatever...

but you fixing it will reflect badly on him , it will be telling the world loud and clear that he caused you damage. It will make him look bad...

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!! That’s because he is a narcissist You are not the AH, you have an abusive parent who is He is not worth a single tear or a single second...

Get up, hold your head and chin up high and TRULY move on - fix what is bothering as soon as you can (you deserve to feel good in your...

mcmurrml − You didn't mess up. You were six years old! How did your mother not know something was wrong when she got back in country? Your face had to...

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What did he tell your mom? No one took you to the hospital or doctor? You did both those women a favor. They got the real picture. No young adult...

The second woman saw what his real character is and that's why she bowed out. Your dad to say you as a six year old deserved it! If he would...

Your dad is a lying POS and hopefully he never finds a decent woman. Stay away from him and do not defend him to your mom. Your mom is right.

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[Reddit User] − NTA You really don't want to accept it but your father is a monster op. Having him in your life will only cause you extreme suffering and...

Heraonolympia123 − Your dad did some awful procedure to "fix" your jaw when I bet he had no medical experience at all. He did it in a country where medical...

He told you not to tell anyone. He has refused accountability. He's not a good dad. His fiancee knew he wasn't a good dad or person so left. That's on...

Forsaken-Routine-466 − Your dad would have lost custody if his abuse and n__lect reached the ears of authority.   He should never be near children or animals.

This was severe n__lect on his part. It was selfish and abusive of him to fail at his basic responsibility as a parent. ( to provide care for his child)...

You dad needs to face the evil he caused and the evil in him that causes him to continue to deny  his abuse.

He is still abusive - by calling you and yelling at you for something he did. You need to continue therapy as you seem to make excuses for a man...

katmonday − Your father is abusive and you were abused as a child. You seem determined to have 'gotten over it', and you seem astonished at other people reacting badly...

Your mum is allowed to be upset that the father of her child hurt that child so badly it caused physical deformity and ongoing medical requirements.

Your father's ex fiance is right to think differently of him once she heard how he significantly hurt his own child. You are allowed to be angry at him.

This story shows the lasting ripple effects of parental neglect and the courage required to speak truthfully about past harm. Honesty protected others while highlighting unaddressed accountability.

It reinforces that children deserve immediate care and protection, and adults must face consequences for failing that duty. Healing comes from prioritizing personal health over preserving flawed relationships. Would you maintain contact with a parent who denied medical care leading to permanent injury? When does sharing a painful truth become an obligation rather than an accident?

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