Oh, heck no, you did NOT deserve that. Please, put that thought right out of your head.

This makes me mad (for you). Here's what you need to know... sane, healthy, normal adults do NOT *call out* someones difficulties and mock them for it. These rude people were the ones being stupid and childish - NOT YOU.

Most people, I think, would not ask about your scars. Or, if they did, they would accept what you said about your cat, even if they didn't believe it. They wouldn't jump to conclusions, and they wouldn't use those conclusions to publicly humiliate you. THAT is childish and really awful behavior.

None of that is your fault, and none of it actually reflects on you. Yes, you have scars. Yes, you have pain, and chose a less-than-optimal way to deal with it. Zillions of people do that (smoking, drinking, drugs, chocolate!). They have no room to judge, and their stupidity doesn't make YOU a bad person at all.

I'm sorry, this kind of stuff just touches a nerve for me. I find it incredibly hard too, to try to keep a stable sense of self despite what other people are saying to me. I hope this makes sense to you, and helps!

And, I wish I had some practical advice to add. I don't, other than continue doing your job with pride. They are no better than you, and please don't let them make you think otherwise.

Take care!