Meet me & my Vitiligo
I remember being 7 years old and scraping up both of my knees when I tripped on the sidewalk rollerblading. As the scab was healing, a couple small white spots began to appear. My mother took me to the dermatologist when she realized the white spots were not going away- and they were spreading. The dermatologist told my mom that it could be a rash or a scare. He gave her a small tube of ointment to apply to the "infected" area and off we went.
The ointment did not work. It did not work because I did not have a rash or a scare, I had the autoimmune disease called Vitiligo.
By the age of 11 the majority of my body was covered in white spot- feet, shins, thighs, hips, hands, forearms, elbows, neck, and face. I heard everything from " were you in a fire" to " did you spill bleach on yourself."
I've heard the hurtful names on repeat- cow, zebra, Dalmatian, ghost face, and so on.
It was in middle school when I discovered the beauty of makeup. Makeup helped me cover the majority of my spots on my face and neck . Spray tans cover the spots on my feet and legs. Other self tanners hid the spots on my chest and back. I came up with clever ways to hide my spots with my clothes and shoes. It wasn't until 2015 that I began to accept my Vitiligo. In doing so, I got a tattoo saying "It's Called Vitiligo." This is my comfort blanket. My tattoo is an open invitation for you to ask me questions. My tattoo puts a name to my disease.
I have accepted my Vitiligo with the help of some very inspiring connections but I am still a human being. I have my deep-rooted insecurities in which I battle with daily. There are still many days when I decide to cover my spots but there are also many days when I decide to embrace them.
I hope to be able to guide you on your own journey whether that is embracing your spots, seeking a treatment, connecting with the community, or sharing your story.
The ointment did not work. It did not work because I did not have a rash or a scare, I had the autoimmune disease called Vitiligo.
By the age of 11 the majority of my body was covered in white spot- feet, shins, thighs, hips, hands, forearms, elbows, neck, and face. I heard everything from " were you in a fire" to " did you spill bleach on yourself."
I've heard the hurtful names on repeat- cow, zebra, Dalmatian, ghost face, and so on.
It was in middle school when I discovered the beauty of makeup. Makeup helped me cover the majority of my spots on my face and neck . Spray tans cover the spots on my feet and legs. Other self tanners hid the spots on my chest and back. I came up with clever ways to hide my spots with my clothes and shoes. It wasn't until 2015 that I began to accept my Vitiligo. In doing so, I got a tattoo saying "It's Called Vitiligo." This is my comfort blanket. My tattoo is an open invitation for you to ask me questions. My tattoo puts a name to my disease.
I have accepted my Vitiligo with the help of some very inspiring connections but I am still a human being. I have my deep-rooted insecurities in which I battle with daily. There are still many days when I decide to cover my spots but there are also many days when I decide to embrace them.
I hope to be able to guide you on your own journey whether that is embracing your spots, seeking a treatment, connecting with the community, or sharing your story.
