I had to wear my headgear a few time a public. (I remember the first time in a car park along a highway)
I was sooo helpless, and in shame. I thank every other kid look at me (and that was not totally false !!)

Each time I see now a kid with HG in public (for real, or in a picture), I remember myself, and I try to imagine what the poor kid had in mind :-)
It's why I want to try it again, to feel with others feels... (difficult to explain)

I was embarrassed by wearing them and turned no at the same time. Confusing!

I really enjoyed wearing braces, I enjoyed them so much that I am getting braces again this Summer. I also had a headgear and tongue crib. I wore my headgear all the time in public, I thought it was cool.

I hated my own braces, but i absolutly love seeing braces on women or girls. It's been that way since I was attracted to braces. Hated them on me, loved them on girls.

I felt embarrassed about them, despite that like a third of the other kids my age had them at the same time, but I also enjoyed having them at the same time.

I had braces for a combined total of 11 years.  the 1st third I hated it.  The second third I felt ambivalent.  The last few years I frigging loved it.  It was cool to be this skinny weirdo with the mouth full of metal.