Rag Mop
Skin
It started when I was 8 years old. A few spots on my back that my mom chaulked up to a sun burn starting to peel. But when the spots started on my knees and elbows and started to spread, we started looking into things a bit more serious and I was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called "Vitiligo" - basically what happens is that the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, are killed by own body. I don't see why we can't all just get along. ;)
Over the years I have tried everything possible treatment and disguise I could think of. From tanning booths to wearing two paris of nylons so I could wear shorts on my first day of Grade nine, to spray tans, to phototherapy treatments and to my latest endeavour - tatoos on my shins.
For the longest time it was mostly just on my elbows and knees so I could cover it up by wearing pants and long sleeves...but after I had my children, I developed Exema on my hands (most likely due to the hormones) and when that finally subsided, the Vitiligo appeared...and spread quickly. I have always liked my hands as they remind me of my Dad's hands - big and strong - very helpful for all those years I played basketball. But now, being in an industry where I am constantly meeting new people and shaking hands, they have become my biggest insecurity.
I have an incredible family and friends who quickly see past this outer shell and always encourage me to do the same. But sometimes it is hard...especially in the summer when no amounts of sunscreen seem to keep my tan at bay which only make my white spots more apparent.
I knew that when I signed up for this course that I would have a challenge on my hands (pun intended ;)...by the end of the six weeks I am hoping to be able to capture a picture that will somehow let me see this disease in a different light...perhaps unique, or interesting or maybe just maybe even beautiful.
For the most part, I have learned to deal with it and have found ways to camouflage and conceal it. For the other days (like two days ago when I noticed the spots are starting to appear on my face), I focus on the fact that I have legs to run and hands to hold my precious children. At the end of the day, I can always wear two pairs of nylons. ;)
Skin
It started when I was 8 years old. A few spots on my back that my mom chaulked up to a sun burn starting to peel. But when the spots started on my knees and elbows and started to spread, we started looking into things a bit more serious and I was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called "Vitiligo" - basically what happens is that the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, are killed by own body. I don't see why we can't all just get along. ;)
Over the years I have tried everything possible treatment and disguise I could think of. From tanning booths to wearing two paris of nylons so I could wear shorts on my first day of Grade nine, to spray tans, to phototherapy treatments and to my latest endeavour - tatoos on my shins.
For the longest time it was mostly just on my elbows and knees so I could cover it up by wearing pants and long sleeves...but after I had my children, I developed Exema on my hands (most likely due to the hormones) and when that finally subsided, the Vitiligo appeared...and spread quickly. I have always liked my hands as they remind me of my Dad's hands - big and strong - very helpful for all those years I played basketball. But now, being in an industry where I am constantly meeting new people and shaking hands, they have become my biggest insecurity.
I have an incredible family and friends who quickly see past this outer shell and always encourage me to do the same. But sometimes it is hard...especially in the summer when no amounts of sunscreen seem to keep my tan at bay which only make my white spots more apparent.
I knew that when I signed up for this course that I would have a challenge on my hands (pun intended ;)...by the end of the six weeks I am hoping to be able to capture a picture that will somehow let me see this disease in a different light...perhaps unique, or interesting or maybe just maybe even beautiful.
For the most part, I have learned to deal with it and have found ways to camouflage and conceal it. For the other days (like two days ago when I noticed the spots are starting to appear on my face), I focus on the fact that I have legs to run and hands to hold my precious children. At the end of the day, I can always wear two pairs of nylons. ;)