 My name is Andre N. Joachim Jr. and I currently reside in Illinois. I was raised in Joliet, Illinois but I currently live in DeKalb, Illinois, where I am pursuing my PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision. The way I felt about having Vitiligo is much different than how I feel about having Vitiligo now. I have had Vitiligo for 25 years now. I feel that Vitiligo carries a magnitude of thoughts, reactions, and emotions. It deserves to be acknowledged as something that should not be taken lightly. Having Vitiligo has allowed me to empathize, connect, and look beyond surface beauty. It has given me a larger connection with human existence and has redefined what beauty means to me. It is easy to say we understand what someone is experiencing, but having Vitiligo allows me to understand when someone says they feel self-conscience about their weight, a visual scar, or their looks. I would never have had that same connection without having Vitiligo. It has opened me to a deeper sense of emotions that I never knew existed. My initial reaction to seeing spots on my body was shock! I had no idea or clue what it could be. I was 18 when I first noticed my Vitiligo spots. I was not diagnosed until I was 19, even though I had visited the doctor at the age of 18. The practitioner had no idea what those spots were or how they manifested on my body. At the time there was not a lot of information, awareness, or support for people diagnosed with Vitiligo. It was really hard to have conversations about Vitiligo when I did not fully understand it. I found dating to be traumatic and disastrous. There were times that people stared or gawked, called me monster, or any animal with black and white stripes or spots, but the looks of disgust were the hardest to deal with. At times I was even turned down from fast food places like McDonalds, because the manager thought I had some kind of contagious disease. How disheartening is this? to get turned away from a job that hires anyone with minimal skills! Most of the time I lied about my Vitiligo diagnosis. I would lie and say it was a birthmark, chemical burn, or that I was in a fire. My family tried to be supportive, but they were just as shocked as I was. To their knowledge no one in my family ever had Vitiligo . I can truly say without a doubt that my family not only supports me emotionally, but they have also made it their mission to support my entire Vitiligo community. There was a brief time when I did seek treatment. At first I tried creams to repigment my skin. Then my white patches spread over 40% of my body, at that point I tried to depigment. I gave up when I felt some negative side effects. I had some support at the time, so trying to find treatment was not a priority. Over the course of time, I met several people with Vitiligo. I met one woman namedMargot, a Professor who used to tell me every time I saw her, “honey you are so handsome and beautiful.” She taught me how valuable it was to strengthen your support system and have people in your life that valued you for not only how you look, but for what you carried on the inside. She looked past my physical appearance and saw my soul. Once I opened myself to receive those words from her, I started seeing there were other people who supported me as well. That is when I started embracing my Vitiligo. Even until this day, I never knew my support system would grow so much. I started friending people with Vitiligo on social media. Through social media, I heard of the World Vitiligo Day conference. I was encouraged to attend this conference with the support of my dearest friends. After this event, I fell deeper in love with my Vitiligo and my Vitiligo Family. Vitiligo has given me a chance to bring healing, acceptance, and connection to others in and out of our community. It has helped me embrace my role as an advocate. I am not interested in a cure for myself but I am supportive of a cure for others. We all experience our Vitiligo in many different ways. Finding a cure is not about me, it is about helping others who are struggling or experiencing a negative quality of life due to their diagnosis. As for me, I will be rocking my Vitiligo regardless of how many spots I gain or how many spots I lose. Photo by: Olen author Andre N. Joachim Jr. |
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However, we all know Leah rocks, spots and all.
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
The summer was finally here, the season I most longed for all winter long. I had planned to spend my summer having brunch with friends on the weekends, taking my daughter on outdoor adventures, and traveling with my husband. Instead I packed my schedule with writing, classes, meetings, and meetups (all things I also thoroughly enjoy). My husband worked what felt like a month or two straight of overtime. I was starting to feel physically and mentally burnt out. I felt stressed, irritated, and exhausted. These feelings quickly dissolved when I found out I was pregnant, again. I suddenly forgot about all of the stress and frustration I had been feeling. My husband and I were thrilled that after months and months of trying, we were finally expecting our second baby. Another April baby! Our doctor confirmed my pregnancy and I was feeling really good six weeks in ( I was miserable in my last pregnancy).
Putting this exciting news aside for a moment, my husband and I experienced one of the scariest moment in our lives. It was in the middle of the night and our one year old daughter’s body began convulsing. She was having a seizure. When her lips turned blue and she began foaming at the mouth we scooped her up and rushed her to the emergency room. Halfway there I was sure she stopped breathing when her body went limp in my arms. Drool was pouring from her mouth. This was the exact moment when I was holding Raegen’s limp body in my arms where I didn’t want the new baby. My husband quickly performed CPR on her. We spent the next week in and out of the emergency room and doctor’s offices. She was pricked, poked, and tested. It turns out it was a very common febrile seizure that occurs when one’s body temperature spikes.
Everything was finally feeling normal again when I woke up that Saturday morning with excruciating pains, cramps, and bleeding. I was seven weeks pregnant and I knew in that moment that we would never get the chance to meet this baby. All of the hopes and dreams that came with this pregnancy quickly came to an end. My husband was still pleasantly optimistic. When the bleeding lasted for more than seven hours straight my doctor had advised that we go to the emergency room. Many hours later the emergency room doctors gave us paperwork and sent us on our way with a bunch of unanswered questions. After two more days of discomfort and bleeding, we had what would have been our first sonogram appointment to see the heartbeat. This appointment ended up being our confirmation of the miscarriage. I kept telling myself, “This had to happen. It was my body getting rid of a bad pregnancy.” I told myself this on repeat. I kept reminding myself that after my first miscarriage in 2016, I got pregnant with my daughter Raegen. A day or two after the appointment I finally let myself feel everything. My heart felt heavy. My eyes felt heavy from crying. I felt every bit of the sadness and disappointment. I was reminded of the miscarriage every time I went to the bathroom. I was heartbroken.
A miscarriage occurs when your body ends the pregnancy on its own within the first 20 weeks. Miscarriages are incredibly common for women but not often spoken of. According to the American Pregnancy Association, studies show that 10-25% of clinically recognized pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This number increases dramatically when you include chemical miscarriages and clinically unconfirmed miscarriages. After my first miscarriage, I felt uncomfortable speaking about it, and people felt uncomfortable hearing about it. However the more I spoke about it, the more I realized just how common they actually are. The second time around I found support in my friends and family, so why did I struggle to openly share how I was feeling? Why did this still feel like such an isolating experience? Fear was holding me back from sharing my grief with others. My miscarriages are a big part of my journey. They are a part of my history. It is time we stop being so afraid of speaking openly and honestly. Today I am shining a light on my story and I hope others will know that it is okay to feel, it is okay to grieve, and it is okay to share.
Putting this exciting news aside for a moment, my husband and I experienced one of the scariest moment in our lives. It was in the middle of the night and our one year old daughter’s body began convulsing. She was having a seizure. When her lips turned blue and she began foaming at the mouth we scooped her up and rushed her to the emergency room. Halfway there I was sure she stopped breathing when her body went limp in my arms. Drool was pouring from her mouth. This was the exact moment when I was holding Raegen’s limp body in my arms where I didn’t want the new baby. My husband quickly performed CPR on her. We spent the next week in and out of the emergency room and doctor’s offices. She was pricked, poked, and tested. It turns out it was a very common febrile seizure that occurs when one’s body temperature spikes.
Everything was finally feeling normal again when I woke up that Saturday morning with excruciating pains, cramps, and bleeding. I was seven weeks pregnant and I knew in that moment that we would never get the chance to meet this baby. All of the hopes and dreams that came with this pregnancy quickly came to an end. My husband was still pleasantly optimistic. When the bleeding lasted for more than seven hours straight my doctor had advised that we go to the emergency room. Many hours later the emergency room doctors gave us paperwork and sent us on our way with a bunch of unanswered questions. After two more days of discomfort and bleeding, we had what would have been our first sonogram appointment to see the heartbeat. This appointment ended up being our confirmation of the miscarriage. I kept telling myself, “This had to happen. It was my body getting rid of a bad pregnancy.” I told myself this on repeat. I kept reminding myself that after my first miscarriage in 2016, I got pregnant with my daughter Raegen. A day or two after the appointment I finally let myself feel everything. My heart felt heavy. My eyes felt heavy from crying. I felt every bit of the sadness and disappointment. I was reminded of the miscarriage every time I went to the bathroom. I was heartbroken.
A miscarriage occurs when your body ends the pregnancy on its own within the first 20 weeks. Miscarriages are incredibly common for women but not often spoken of. According to the American Pregnancy Association, studies show that 10-25% of clinically recognized pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This number increases dramatically when you include chemical miscarriages and clinically unconfirmed miscarriages. After my first miscarriage, I felt uncomfortable speaking about it, and people felt uncomfortable hearing about it. However the more I spoke about it, the more I realized just how common they actually are. The second time around I found support in my friends and family, so why did I struggle to openly share how I was feeling? Why did this still feel like such an isolating experience? Fear was holding me back from sharing my grief with others. My miscarriages are a big part of my journey. They are a part of my history. It is time we stop being so afraid of speaking openly and honestly. Today I am shining a light on my story and I hope others will know that it is okay to feel, it is okay to grieve, and it is okay to share.
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
J.J. is the first person I’ve met who has lived with Vitiligo since infancy. His mother noticed light patches on his skin when he was an infant, however his spots were unstable. They would come and go. J.J. didn’t notice the spots himself until he was five years old. By 13 or 14 he noticed a spot on his face when he started shaving. It wasn’t until he was in his 30’s that his spots spread to larger areas of his body. Around 35 years of age the spots really began to spread on his forearms and face. “My forearms and face make me very self conscious at times, especially in the summer where my other skin tans.” His mother told him the doctor said they were light spots and nothing to worry about.
J.J., now 40, is living with white spots on his arms and face. He didn’t think anything of it until he did some research and finally put a name to the spots. J.J. was living in a state of denial until he decided to finally accept his Vitiligo this past summer. “I no longer let Vitiligo have control over how I live my life. Acceptance has been a huge relief.”
J.J. never sought treatment or medical guidance. Even though he would like to see a cure for Vitiligo, at this point in his life he doesn’t find treating Vitiligo to be a priority in his life. Thankfully, J.J. has such a supportive family and his kids think his Vitiligo is cool!
Even though J.J. has never experienced bullying, he has been questioned and stared at often. “I hate when people stare and don’t ask me about it.” To avoid the stares, J.J used to cover his arms to the best of his ability and the only way he was able to cover the spots on his face was by growing a beard. Today he doesn’t necessarily embrace his Vitiligo but he doesn’t try to hide it either. “Embrace is a little strong, but my spots are growing on me...pun intended! I believe there is a reason I have Vitiligo and that is to help/encourage others who struggle with Vitiligo.”
“As a child, I didn’t really think about it; not many spots where people could see. As an adult, a little scary, a lot of uncertainties.” Even though J.J. had Vitiligo as a kid, his spots were not in noticeable places. He did not have to deal with anybody asking questions. When I asked J.J. what advice he has for our youth living with Vitiligo he said, “Don’t be ashamed, hold your head up high, don’t pay attention to mean things people say, and you are special.”
J.J., now 40, is living with white spots on his arms and face. He didn’t think anything of it until he did some research and finally put a name to the spots. J.J. was living in a state of denial until he decided to finally accept his Vitiligo this past summer. “I no longer let Vitiligo have control over how I live my life. Acceptance has been a huge relief.”
J.J. never sought treatment or medical guidance. Even though he would like to see a cure for Vitiligo, at this point in his life he doesn’t find treating Vitiligo to be a priority in his life. Thankfully, J.J. has such a supportive family and his kids think his Vitiligo is cool!
Even though J.J. has never experienced bullying, he has been questioned and stared at often. “I hate when people stare and don’t ask me about it.” To avoid the stares, J.J used to cover his arms to the best of his ability and the only way he was able to cover the spots on his face was by growing a beard. Today he doesn’t necessarily embrace his Vitiligo but he doesn’t try to hide it either. “Embrace is a little strong, but my spots are growing on me...pun intended! I believe there is a reason I have Vitiligo and that is to help/encourage others who struggle with Vitiligo.”
“As a child, I didn’t really think about it; not many spots where people could see. As an adult, a little scary, a lot of uncertainties.” Even though J.J. had Vitiligo as a kid, his spots were not in noticeable places. He did not have to deal with anybody asking questions. When I asked J.J. what advice he has for our youth living with Vitiligo he said, “Don’t be ashamed, hold your head up high, don’t pay attention to mean things people say, and you are special.”
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
Corina McClure was 16 years old when she noticed her hands changing color. She originally thought she didn't wash her hands enough. Corina remembers standing there scrubbing and scrubbing her hands to remove the white spots. After realizing that washing her hands was not an effective solution, she decided to move on with her life. Corina started to believe she needed to eat more vegetables because her grandma used to fill her head with sayings about what happens when you do not eat your greens. She found getting Vitiligo as a teenager to be very difficult, and she was bullied by her peers. They called her countless cruel names. “The name I will always remember is “cow”. Being called cow really hurt the most.” “My mom once put suntan lotion on my hand around the spots. The next day I woke up to dark rings around my white spots. I had to go to school like that.” After experiencing the bullying, Corina decided to cover her white spots as much as she possibly could.
Even though Corina has family members who also have the autoimmune disease, their reaction to her Vitiligo was to try and cure it. Her family tried to hide her spots, which never seemed to work. Her family members don’t embrace their spots as much as she does. “I try to show them that we are different in a good way and that if they would learn to love it and show it off then it would be just fine.”
As a 28 years old adult, Corina has decided to try and embrace her condition now that she has realized she cannot cover her spots so easily.The white spots currently cover most of her body. “I still get a lot of looks and questions.” Meeting other people with Vitiligo has helped her learn to love her spots because she knows she is unique. Even though she has embraced her spots now, should a cure for vitiligo be found tomorrow, when asked if she would take it, she responded “Yes, yes a hundred times yes!”
@corinalovesayla.n.rowan
Photo by Corina McClure
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
Everything changed for Arcelia Diaz when she was knocked down one average day wakeboarding. “I felt like a 4X4 had hit me hard on my thigh and I went down. I tried to swim and felt my leg not respond to my command. It just floated on its own free will. I had broken my leg! My right femur was shattered in 3 places.” It didn’t occur to her how badly this would affect her life until she realized she didn’t have medical insurance. Arcelia was a self-employed homeowner with no health insurance at the time. She couldn’t work because of a broken leg but still had to make her mortgage payments. Needless to say, this was a very stressful period in her life.
Arcelia Diaz first discovered a white spot on her knuckle when she was 29 years old, one year after her accident. She first noticed the spot when her boyfriend proposed to her in Cabo Beach, Mexico. As she was admiring her ring, the spot stood out to her. At first Arcelia thought it was a sun spot and expected it to go away. When she spotted an identical spot on her other hand, she knew it was time to make a doctor’s appointment. The doctor quickly diagnosed the spots as Vitiligo and prescribed her a steroid cream. She was told that the cream could cause skin cancer if she spent any time in the sun, so she decided not to use it.
Arcelia noticed her white patches spreading when she became pregnant with her first child. When she was pregnant with her second child two years later, her spots had spread to her knees, armpits, and thighs. Fast forward another year, she was pregnant again. This was a difficult pregnancy with a lot of issues and complications. Her Vitiligo spots began to spread like wildfire. Arcelia now has white spots covering most of her body. “I am a spotted beauty.”
Thankfully her family was super supportive. They tried to find her a cure at mom and pop drug stores and pharmacies. Her family even tried to get her medicine from Mexico. Even though Arcelia has learned to love the skin she’s in, she would choose to get it reversed if a cure were discovered. She still loves and misses her tan, brown skin tone and the protection it provided her. Being from California, she loves spending time in the sun. It would be so much easier not having to cover herself head to toe in sunblock every hour.
Arcelia’s curiosity lies in why people develop Vitiligo. Even though her uncle has Vitiligo as well, she is not completely convinced it is an autoimmune disease. Disease or no disease, Arcelia tries to stay positive to help reduce her stress levels. “ I have become one with nature and learned to appreciate all that is. It has helped me to accept my circumstances . It has helped me to love myself. I have rebranded myself. I am woman, hear me roar!”
Follow Arcelia’s Vitiligo journey
@la_archeetah
Photo by Arcelia Diaz
Arcelia Diaz first discovered a white spot on her knuckle when she was 29 years old, one year after her accident. She first noticed the spot when her boyfriend proposed to her in Cabo Beach, Mexico. As she was admiring her ring, the spot stood out to her. At first Arcelia thought it was a sun spot and expected it to go away. When she spotted an identical spot on her other hand, she knew it was time to make a doctor’s appointment. The doctor quickly diagnosed the spots as Vitiligo and prescribed her a steroid cream. She was told that the cream could cause skin cancer if she spent any time in the sun, so she decided not to use it.
Arcelia noticed her white patches spreading when she became pregnant with her first child. When she was pregnant with her second child two years later, her spots had spread to her knees, armpits, and thighs. Fast forward another year, she was pregnant again. This was a difficult pregnancy with a lot of issues and complications. Her Vitiligo spots began to spread like wildfire. Arcelia now has white spots covering most of her body. “I am a spotted beauty.”
Thankfully her family was super supportive. They tried to find her a cure at mom and pop drug stores and pharmacies. Her family even tried to get her medicine from Mexico. Even though Arcelia has learned to love the skin she’s in, she would choose to get it reversed if a cure were discovered. She still loves and misses her tan, brown skin tone and the protection it provided her. Being from California, she loves spending time in the sun. It would be so much easier not having to cover herself head to toe in sunblock every hour.
Arcelia’s curiosity lies in why people develop Vitiligo. Even though her uncle has Vitiligo as well, she is not completely convinced it is an autoimmune disease. Disease or no disease, Arcelia tries to stay positive to help reduce her stress levels. “ I have become one with nature and learned to appreciate all that is. It has helped me to accept my circumstances . It has helped me to love myself. I have rebranded myself. I am woman, hear me roar!”
Follow Arcelia’s Vitiligo journey
@la_archeetah
Photo by Arcelia Diaz
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
In 2013, Abhishek Bubna found a small white mark on his neck that he hadn’t noticed before. He decided to make an appointment right away with his doctor who immediately diagnosed him with the autoimmune disease, Vitiligo. Initially he was shocked to find out he had this autoimmune disease. He remembers sitting around with his wife and parents trying to figure out a solution.“I do not feel too good about having any disease, let alone having an autoimmune disease, especially one that is physically visible.”
Abhishek’s doctor had advised him to take some medicine and expose his skin to the sun first thing in the morning. Because he wasn’t seeing any repigmentation, he decided to see a Naturopath Specialist who gave him another round of medication to try. “You will not believe how many specialists I have been to. I have spent a lot of money on equipment and medicine with the hope that I will recover.” After seeing many specialists, Abhishek sought comfort with homeopathic and cosmetic covers. His doctors and family helped him realise that it will be okay. He will not let this pull him down.
Abhishek currently lives in Calcutta, India where the acceptance of the physical manifestation brought on by Vitiligo is very different from Western society. Arranged marriages are still a very big part of Indian culture. Vitiligo is viewed as unattractive and an inexcusable deal breaker when it comes to marriages. Unfortunately, many men and women living with Vitiligo in India sadly do not receive support from their family members.
Abhishek’s family is an exception. He is the only person in his family with Vitiligo, yet he has had endless love and support from his parents, wife, and friends. “They have helped my emotional quotient throughout my journey. None of them treated me differently. They have looked beyond it. My friends don’t care whether I have vitiligo or not.”
Abhishek recognizes that Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease but he also sees it as a cosmetic change. Because of Indian culture, having this physical disfigurement can disrupt your place in society. He believes that if people cannot see your beauty and only judge you by how you look, then you should not care about these people. “I only make friends who love me for who I am and not the way I look. I know sometimes it seems that it is easier said than done, but I have done it and so have many other people.” Abhishek once had someone tell him, “If you believe that you are perfect, you will be perfect.” This simple comment changed his entire perspective on living with Vitiligo. “Vitiligo taught me a lot of things. I have learnt the necessity of being grateful, the importance of correct thoughts and to do the right thing.”
In the words of Abhishek, “We are all beautiful.”
Photo by Abhishek Bubna
@ abhi.bubna
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
Meet Liz Lara, a 29 year old from Quito, Ecuador now residing in New York. Liz has been living with Vitiligo for the last five years. At the age of 24, Liz was tanning under the sun on vacation in Miami when she noticed a big white spot on her chin.
Liz decided to make an appointment with dermatologist Dr. Gerald upon her return to New York. He diagnosed Liz with Vitiligo instantaneously. Liz sought treatment right away. She had tried Quantum medicine and UVB lights. The treatments showed no improvements and the spots quickly spread throughout her body. Due to a lack of progress, Liz decided to forgo all treatments. Vitiligo now covers about 60 percent of her body. After receiving four blood transfusions as a result of birthing her daughter, her doctor’s speculated her Vitiligo developed due to low levels of Vitamin D and Iron.
Liz decided to make an appointment with dermatologist Dr. Gerald upon her return to New York. He diagnosed Liz with Vitiligo instantaneously. Liz sought treatment right away. She had tried Quantum medicine and UVB lights. The treatments showed no improvements and the spots quickly spread throughout her body. Due to a lack of progress, Liz decided to forgo all treatments. Vitiligo now covers about 60 percent of her body. After receiving four blood transfusions as a result of birthing her daughter, her doctor’s speculated her Vitiligo developed due to low levels of Vitamin D and Iron.
As an adult, Vitiligo changed Liz’s life. She got separated from her first husband who did not support or understand her situation. He began negatively comparing Liz with other girls. Her self esteem plummeted and she felt as if she no longer deserved to be in a stable relationship. Liz’s grandfather who lives with Vitiligo on his hands, had already introduced her family to the skin condition, but her family did not know how to react to her condition being so extreme.
Liz fell into a state of depression. She stopped going to school and she struggled to keep a stable job. Liz turned to make up so people wouldn’t notice or question her skin condition. It takes Liz a lot of time to leave the house because she has to apply makeup to her face and makeup spray to her arms and legs.
“I once saw a woman with Vitiligo in the street and she said to me, ‘’I love myself, everybody is different, and I am glad I am different in this way.’’ Now I try to be proud of who I am and try to accept my skin condition.”
In 2015, Liz got married to her first love. He loved her before she developed Vitiligo and he loves her now with Vitiligo. He finds Liz’s Vitiligo sexy.
“With the help and guidance of my husband, my loved ones, and my therapists I have come to embrace my spots. I have searched for support groups and have realized I am not alone with this condition. I have stopped thinking about what people will think and I focus on loving myself.”
“Yes, I still use makeup and not because I am embarrassed about my Vitiligo but because I’ve found the transition to take time, and that is okay.”
Photos by Liz Lara and Tiffany Grant.
Liz fell into a state of depression. She stopped going to school and she struggled to keep a stable job. Liz turned to make up so people wouldn’t notice or question her skin condition. It takes Liz a lot of time to leave the house because she has to apply makeup to her face and makeup spray to her arms and legs.
“I once saw a woman with Vitiligo in the street and she said to me, ‘’I love myself, everybody is different, and I am glad I am different in this way.’’ Now I try to be proud of who I am and try to accept my skin condition.”
In 2015, Liz got married to her first love. He loved her before she developed Vitiligo and he loves her now with Vitiligo. He finds Liz’s Vitiligo sexy.
“With the help and guidance of my husband, my loved ones, and my therapists I have come to embrace my spots. I have searched for support groups and have realized I am not alone with this condition. I have stopped thinking about what people will think and I focus on loving myself.”
“Yes, I still use makeup and not because I am embarrassed about my Vitiligo but because I’ve found the transition to take time, and that is okay.”
Photos by Liz Lara and Tiffany Grant.
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.
 For years, Christina Vavro, has been bullied, stared at, and questioned about her Vitiligo. She has been called “white legs” and “cow.” She has had many people ask her if she was burned or if the spots were a birthmark, but Christina never took it to heart. For Christina, it did not matter what people said because she loves it and that is all that matters.People have told her to wear pants and cover up because the spots on her legs are ugly. She has been living with Vitiligo for the past 10 years. As an 18 year old from Chandler, Arizona, she first noticed her Vitiligo when she was only 8 years old and had no idea what it was. Even though she was worried, her family remained very calm. They were determined to seek treatment at the Skin and Cancer Center in Chandler. Christina was prescribed creams to apply every day and night. Dismally, the treatment did not work for her.  Her first spots were around her eyes and on her legs. She used concealer, foundation, and self tanners to try and cover up the noticeable white patches but it didn’t feel right to her. She didn’t feel like herself. Christina is a strong, inspiring, and self-assured woman. Even being a teenager with Vitiligo, she remains her authentic self. Christina shared, “I was always a very confident person but I would look at other girls and remember how I had tan legs and no spots. Sometimes I would feel insecure about it but over the few years I have learned to love my spots. Now that i’m a little bit older, I find it unique and amazing to have something that people can ask me about.” She now finds the beauty in embracing her spots. “Growing up with vitiligo was never stopped me from being myself or going outside and exposing my skin.” Christina’s self love helped her get through the hardships of living with Vitiligo. “Accepting that I have Vitiligo has been the best thing I have ever done. It has helped me love who I am. It is a part of me that I would never take away.” Photos by Christina Vavro. |
author Tiffany Grant
@itscalledvitiligo.grant
I have been living with Vitiligo for 21 years. My first spots appeared on my knees at the age of 7. I decided to get the tattoo "It's called Vitiligo" a few years back to put a name to the disease and help educate others. Many sources, including Women's Health Magazine and the Daily Mail, shared my story around the world, spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma of living with Vitiligo. From Brooklyn, NY, I continue to advocate and raises awareness for Vitiligo.