Mum has helped me make new memories ...now it’s not painful to look at my face
KATIE PIPER’S JOY 10
Devoted Diane knew she had to hide the photos after an acid attack which changed Katie’s life.
By removing the snaps, she ensured former model Katie – feeling like she wanted to end it all – was not confronted by memories of her life before the horror.
That was 10 years ago. Today, 250 operations later and still having treatment, 34-year-old Katie is a changed woman.
She is a TV presenter, happily married, a mum – baby number two arrived in December – and something of a national treasure.
And with Diane and other members of the family, Katie is building fresh memories.
Happy ones – as new pictures of the bubbly blonde testify.
Katie, recalling life in Hampshire with her parents, brother and sister, says: “I think they took down all the pictures of me as a teen or a young woman down after what happened.
“But they kept the baby ones and things like that up.
CLOSURE
“I have proper closure and I have made peace in my life, so it’s not painful to look at my face any more.
“Of course I acknowledge it’s not the same, but I have managed to get to a good place in my life where it’s okay. The biggest thing we’re trying to do now is create new memories.
“We have so many memories in hospital and in intensive care that now we’re trying to plan theatre trips, afternoon tea and creating more visual happy memories.
“Now, 10 years on, it’s got to the point where the good memories now have overtaken how many bad there have been.”
Katie gave birth to Penelope 10 weeks ago. She is a sister for threeyear-old Belle, and now Katie and hubby of six years Richard Sutton believe their family is complete.
She adds: “It’s been brilliant. The second time around is a different experience, a different type of tiring.
“You have the toddler wandering around in the day, so you can’t rest, but it’s great and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a loud, busy house and I love that. Richie really wanted a son but I think he now feels complete with two.”
Katie was just 24 when sulphuric acid was thrown in her face after she told boyfriend Daniel Lynch she was breaking up with him.
He ordered thug pal Stefan Sylvestre to carry out the attack, leaving Katie with severe burns to her face, chest and hands and partially blind in one eye.
Lynch and Sylvestre received life sentences.
Now Katie and Diane, a former teacher, have written a book about life since the ordeal.
From Mother To Daughter, The Things I’d Tell My Child is their cele- bration of an incredible bond – and Katie’s own understanding of motherhood. But it also includes parts of Diane’s diaries in which she describes the pain of seeing Katie in intensive care. The book has brought them closer together and helped close a door on the past. Katie goes on: “Getting older and wiser, we Katie and Richard, her hubby of 6yrs