A young guy from New Zealand named Mark Cropp was serving a two-year, three-month sentence for an unsuccessful drug deal when he found himself at a crossroads in this gripping tale about the impact of social media.

While inside, Mark made a choice that would change his life forever. He was desperate for a fresh start after serving his sentence.

One night in their jail cell, heavily drunk on homemade whiskey made from fermented apples, bread, and sugar, Mark and his brother made a decision that would change their lives.

The tattoo on the face

In a trance, they decided to tattoo Mark’s nickname on his face using melted plastic knives, forks, and toothpaste as a crude ink. The result was a huge black tattoo that clearly wrote “Devast8” across his jaw and lower face, eventually coming to symbolize grief.

Mark had to face the harsh reality of unemployment after his jail sentence. He quickly came to the realization that his massive face tattoo was making it nearly impossible for him to support his girlfriend and little daughter and reintegrate into society. Although Mark had prior work experience, the evident ink immediately turned off potential employers, making it impossible for him to get employment.

In an interview with the Daily Mail Australia, Mark clarified the meaning of the tattoo by saying, “You know, there was a long time there where I would devastate everything I touched.” I would end up damaging whatever I came into contact with or touched.

 

They would be upset with anything I did or said, so I kept hearing, ‘That’s bad,'” he continued. I knew once I got going that I couldn’t stop now. “I wish I had stopped while the outline was still there, to be really honest,” he said.

I was wearing this before I even noticed it. “It was swollen like a bloody pumpkin,” he said.

 

 

 

Mark searched for ways to remove the tattoo out of desperation, but he was unable to locate any professionals who would perform it or the funds to do it. Laser removal, the most feasible option, was costly and required several treatments. After that, Mark turned to social media for help.

 

Mark begged for a job and a new beginning while sharing a selfie of himself on Facebook, highlighting his distinctive tattoo. His earnest plea quickly became well-known on the network and attracted the interest of the staff at Sacred Tattoo, a tattoo parlor in Auckland.

 

Motivated by Mark’s story and seeing an opportunity to help, Sacred Tattoo decided to carry out an incredible act of kindness. The tattoo parlor, known for its commitment to the community, offered Mark free laser removal treatments to remove the “Devast8” tattoo from his face.

This generous gesture from Sacred Tattoo demonstrated the transformative power of social media as well as the impact of compassion.

 

 

 

Mark also found employment with a scaffolding company, PR Contracting, where he earned $22 per hour.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think everyone deserves a second chance at life? Let us know in the comments section below!