My name is Hugo Campos, and I am original from Portugal, having arrived in London in 2001.

 I lost the top of my finger while operating a wood cutting machine. This happened on my second year here, when I was working as a picture framer.

 At first I thought I had just cut myself. Just skin, I mean. Not bone. It was only when my work colleagues told me, that I realized what really happened. After that initial shock came the physical pain and uncertainties about how this would change my life.

 Fortunately, after the first months I got used to it and I hardly think about it nowadays. To be fair, it's one less nail to cut. It as saved me thousands of seconds over the years.

As for emotional scars, I don't think I have them. It was an unexpected, fast, accident. Besides the first days of physical pain I don't have any other painful memories from it. Even the initial thoughts of not being able to fully continuing using my left hand, soon disappear. I have always been a creative person and completely controlling/coordinating the use of my hands is very important to me. But because it was just a minute bit, I have learned how to work with it.

 If there is anything that I can take fro the experience, It is that it’s as made me more health and safety conscious. I believe that one should always find something positive from everything! Even from the bad things. Like the Monty Python say, 'Always look on the bright side of life.'