Self-Talk and Vitiligo

By: Mary Aquino

Honestly who cares about others’ opinion of you? Your skin does not define you. You are beautiful. These are all phrases I wish I told myself back when my vitiligo began to spread and became a lot more visible than just small spots. When I was 9 years old, I was sitting in the computer lab with my friend and I showed her a new spot that had shown up after a fall but didn’t seem to leave. Her words never left my mind: “Wow, that’s kind of cool.” See, once I hit middle school, I didn’t associate myself with those words. I closed myself off from meeting new people and participating in big events for school, especially the ones outdoors. I went from being an extrovert to an introvert.

Now to make things worse I lived in Miami, Florida which means summer all year round. My classmates wanted to go to pool parties, the beach, play sports and I felt weird and out-of-place because I looked different. In the back of my head, I knew it was just skin and it wasn’t that bad but I wanted to look beautiful to others. Afterall, Miami is all about beauty and beach bodies, and I didn’t fit into any of these categories.

Instead these were the thoughts that flooded my mind. Would boys like me? Can I go to the pool? No, I look ugly and everyone else would laugh at my skin. To add to the repertoire, a guy in the schoolbus once said to me You look like a Dalmatian dog.” At the time, that comment alone was all it took to make me overthink how I saw myself. Maybe he’s right, I am ugly. I never saw my skin as a positive thing. My family and close friends would tell me otherwise, but how was I supposed to feel?

Everything changed when I met a friend of a friend who has vitiligo. Her skin is more of an olive tone, lighter than me, but her spots are so vibrant and visible. They were more spread out than mine. We went to the beach together and she wanted to show me that it wasn’t too bad walking on the beach; she wanted to show me that others around me would not react the way I’d imagine.

Another person who aided in my change of heart was British photographer, Brock Elbank. When I was studying abroad in Europe, I did a photoshoot with him and that experience changed the way I acted towards my own vitiligo. I was shocked when he said: “It’s funny because everyone who has vitiligo thinks everyone else’s vitiligo pattern is beautiful, but think theirs isn’t.” Learning that so many of his models felt the way I did, reassured me that I wasn’t alone.

Recently, I uploaded this picture on my Instagram and it took a great deal of will power to post. I like my skin more now, but I’ve always struggled with my legs because that’s where most of my vitiligo is.

MIGA Blog- Mary at sea showing her vitiligo

My story with vitiligo is never-ending because with each year that passes a different challenge arises but I don’t regret the struggle because it has gotten me to who I am now. Looking back, I could have saved myself some time wasted on feeling the way I did. Just look at how the world has changed! Winnie Harlow is a supermodel. So many beautiful Instagram role models and influencers are changing perceptions on the regular. It’s time we see our own skin and flaws, whatever they may be, as beautiful!

Photo credit: Brock Elbank

Comments

  • Posted by G.comGold nuggets& Bars 4 sale+2771­54517­04 at great price’’we sell Gold nuggets in Berhrain+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in USA+2771­54517­04, on

    G.comGold nuggets& Bars 4 sale+2771­54517­04 at great price’’we sell Gold nuggets in Berhrain+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in USA+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in California+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Dallas+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in England+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in German+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Spain+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Jamaica+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Brazil+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Germany+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Austria+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Vancouver+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Denmark+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Hong Kong+2771­54517­04, ,, we sell Gold nuggets in Pretoria+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Durban+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Wales+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in France+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Cairo+2771­54517­04 ,we sell Gold nuggets in we sell Gold nuggets in Namibia+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Shina+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Norway+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Capet own+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Tanzania+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Northern Cape+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in New York+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Limpopo+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in London+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Venezuela+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Chile+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Sweden+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Oman+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Dubai+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in Poland+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in johannesburg+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in pretoria+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Bellville+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Benoni+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Bloemfontein+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Boksburg+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in sweden+2771­54517­04,
    we sell Gold nuggets in Kwait+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Qatar+2771­54517­04, we sell Gold nuggets in sudan+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Swaziland+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Canada+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Madagascar+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Zimbabwe+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Lesotho+2771­54517­04,,we sell Gold nuggets in JORDAN+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Turkey+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Belgium+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Australia+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Botswana+2771­54517­04,we sell Gold nuggets in Canada+2771­54517­04, Namibia,we sell Gold nuggets in South Africa+2771­54517­04 , Mozambique,Zambia , Malaysia, Lebanon
    Vaal Centurion Durban
    Vereeniging Welkom Witbank Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga
    North West Northern Cape Western Cape, natural rough diamond as well as polished diamond.
    We sell and deliver all over the World. We have in stock four (4) Standard categories of Gold “ 24 Carat — 95% Gold “ 18 Carat — 75% Gold “ 18 Carat — 58.3% Gold “ 12 Carat — 50% Gold Firstly, it’s worthwhile to note that gold (Au) in itself is a commodity that’s been highly coveted ever since the World knew of beauty and economics — as far back as biblical times. Uganda is an impoverished country with a long history of civil conflicts. The country itself is highly endowed with natural resources. It’s claimed that more than 90% of the Uranium used to build the nuclear warheads that were deployed by the United States on the two cities of Japan came from Kampala (Now Uganda) and yet this country is still quite poor. Buy from us and you see your business grow 1) Gold in Africa. 2) Agents of Gold in Africa 3) Uganda gold 4) gold nuggets 5) gold bars 6) gold dust 7) gold sellers 9) gold quality We sell and deliver Gold everywhere.
    We are dealing with Buyers but not Dealers.
    Kindly contact us if you are interested,
    For more info Call or watsupp us on +2771­54517­04
    Email: goldsales88@gmail.com

  • Posted by Change your life in just 30 minutes+27788523569:do you need power to perform miracles? PASTOR IS HERE FOR HELPING YOU WITH POWERFUL on

    Change your life in just 30 minutes+27788523569:do you need power to perform miracles? PASTOR IS HERE FOR HELPING YOU WITH POWERFUL MAGIC PRAYES ,USA,UK,RSA,CANADA,SOUTH AFRICA Breakthrough Make Miracles Protection fame Business Attraction Are you a pastor, do you need power to perform miracles in your church, do you need to heal the people, make lame walk, make blind to see, make deaf people to hear, heal barrenness in women, and many more come to pastor Mpagi to gain powers to perform those miracles
    When you are able to perform those miracles that means more followers in your church
    All i will give is just a small …………. which you will wear or put on and the world start praising your name
    Are You A Pastor The …… will provide Healing Powers to all manner of sicknesses and diseases, deliverance from satanic manipulations, perform miracles/wonders and rising above. It also attract Mass Wealthy Congregations to your Church/temple.
    ARE YOU A PASTOR OR HEALER LOOKING FOR SPECIAL POWERS? ATTENTION: dear pastors and religious leaders , this is the ring that has turned many ministries and pastors lives today. It has helped many pastors get famous and churches gather lots of followers and not only followers but important people like government officials and big political leaders today , lots of synagogues and churches today are performing miracles and wonders , healing the sick by the help of this ring. The Ring also provides Healing Powers to all manner of sicknesses and diseases, deliverance from demonic manipulations, miracles and rising above.It empowers every word of your preaching to touch people’s hearts thus giving you a powerful magnetic personality. It is a very powerful Ring for one to build intuition power and foresee future .Very useful for person who does Speculation or Healing.
    Pastors and Healers in many churches in Africa and Middle East are using this Fortune Teller Ring in their prophesying work. ### ###..
    Call Watt-sap: +27788523569
    Email:

  • Posted by #just 30 minutes cleaning with SSD solution+27715451704 AND ACTIVATION POWDER FOR CLEANING OF BLACK NOTES ##GAVA SSD CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS+27715451704, on

    #just 30 minutes cleaning with SSD solution+27715451704 AND ACTIVATION POWDER FOR CLEANING OF BLACK NOTES
    ##GAVA SSD CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS+27715451704,
    27715451704 @ CLEANING BLACK NOTES WITH SSD CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS
    @BEST SUPPLIERS OF SSD SOLUTIONS IN Qatar27715451704 ,Ssd chemicals in New York+27715451704, Limpopo, London, Venezuela, Chile, Sweden, Denmark, Rwanda, Ssd chemicals in Oman+27715451704 ,, Ssd chemicals inN Dubai+27715451704, Ssd chemicals in Poland+27715451704, New Castle, Namibia, Botswana,Ssd chemicals in Mozambique+27715451704, South Africa, Limpo¬po, JORDAN, Turkey,Ssd chemicals in Belgium+27715451704, Ssd chemicals in Saudi Arabia+27715451704,Ssd chemicals in Australia+27715451704, Ssd chemicals in Johannesburg+27715451704,Ssd chemicals in Zambia+27715451704,Ssd chemicals in Swaziland+27715451704, Ssd chemicals in Madagascar+27715451704, Ssd chemicals in Zimbabwe+27715451704, Lesotho, Uganda, Lebanon, Berhrain USA, Ssd chemicals in California+27715451704 , Dallas ,Ssd chemicals in, England, German,Spain, Ssd chemicals in Germany+27715451704, Austria, Vancouver, Denmark, Hong Kong, China ,, Pretoria, Durban, Australia, Wales, France, Cairo, Namibia, Botswana,Ssd chemicals in China+27715451704 ,Ssd chemicals in Norway+27715451704 , Sweden, Ssd chemicals in Capet own+27715451704 , Tanzania, Northern Cape, Ssd chemicals in Canada+27715451704,,Ssd chemicals in Soshanguve+27715451704,Ssd chemicals in Pietermaritzburg,Ssd chemicals in Pinetown+27715451704 ,Vaal,Polokwane Pretoria Randburg Roodepoort,Ssd chemicals in Rustenburg
    Ssd chemicals in Sebokeng,Ssd chemicals in Soweto, Ssd chemicals in Springbok,Ssd chemicals in Stellenbosch, Ssd chemicals in Thohoyandou,Ssd chemicals in Umlazi,Ssd chemicals in Upington, Ssd chemicals in Vanderbijlpark

    Ssd chemicals in Vereeniging,Ssd chemicals in Welkom,Ssd chemicals in Tembisa,Ssd chemicals in Kempton Park,Ssd chemicals in Port Elizabeth,Ssd chemicals in Bellville,Ssd chemicals in Boksburg,Ssd chemicals in Benoni,Ssd chemicals in Bloemfontein,Ssd chemicals in, Cape Town

    Ssd chemicals in Centurion,Ssd chemicals in Durban,Ssd chemicals in East London,Ssd chemicals in George,Ssd chemicals in Empangeni, Katlehong Germiston Johannesburg Ibhayi

    Khayelitsha Kimberley Klerksdorp Mamelodi Mitchells Plain Mthatha Nelspruit Newcastle Witbank Eastern cape, Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga

    Do you have black currency in form of Dollars, Pounds or Euros or any other currency? I have the most powerful and Universal cleaning chemical you are looking for. I sell SSD automatic solution, Vetrol paste 0.2A and so many others. I also have a variety of Powders needed when doing the large cleanings such as Activation powder. We specialize in cleaning all types of defaced notes, black notes, anti-breeze bank notes, stamp coated and stained currency. We melt and re-activate frozen chemicals and offer 100% cleaning for bills like dollar, euro, pounds,RANDS and transferring of colors from used note to new white bills.
    We offer machines for large cleaning and also deliver products to any location desired by buyers. Laboratory staff are available to demonstrate to clients how the work is done.

    Are you looking for:- call +27715451704

    SSD Chemical Solution Chemical Solution for Cleaning Black Money call +27715451704

    SSD Chemical Company SSD Chemical Solution for Cleaning Black Money

    SSD Preserving Company SSD Chemical Solution for Cleaning Black Money

    Activation Powder S.S.D. Chemical Solution for Cleaning Black notes

    Active Powder Activation Powder for Cleaning Black Notes

    Black Money Cleaning Clean Black Money

    Best SSD Solution Clean Black Notes

    Cleaning Black Notes Cleaning Black Money

    PLEASE NOTE: WE ONLY DEAL IN HIGH QUALITY S.S.D. CHEMICALS SOLUTION FOR

    CLEANING BLACK MONEY

    We are manufacturers and sellers of all sort of chemicals like SUPER AUTOMATIC SSD SOLUTION Z.W.V.8 MODEL ACTIVATION POWDER AND REACTIVATION POWDER, ANTI AIR POWDER,MERCURY POWDER,AUTOMATED MONEY DEVELOPER MACHINES

    CONGEAL CHEMICAL MELTING EQUIPMENT, TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS AND AUTOMATIC

    CLEANING MACHINE.

    WE ARE SELLING SSD CHEMICAL SOLUTION FOR CLEANING BLACK MONEY AND POWDER CALL +27715451704 purchase Best SSD Solution Clean Black Notes Dollars

    WE ALSO SELL CHEMICALS LIKE SSD AUTOMATIC SOLUTION FORM CLEANING BLACK DOLLARS CURRENCIES

    We clean all black and green money and stamped money

    Infinity labs pty (since 2000)*:

    We can help you clean your money, (+27715451704), we supply a high quality of the ssd solution with machine and it comes with a full package of instructions and accessories. It is the ultimate anti-breeze solution used in cleaning defaced currency. It can be referred to as black dollar etc... or bank stained currency.

    PRODUCTS AVAILABLE:*

    SSD SOLUTION

    SSD Supreme Solution

    SSD universal Solution

    SSD Tourmaline solution

    SSD SOLUTION PK 58

    SSD Topix solution

    SSD Castro X Oxide solution

    D6 SSD universal Solution

    D7 SSD SOLUTION PK 58

    SSD MECURY DIOSINE AUTOMATIC SOLUTION

    SSD NSERVATION, ACTIVATION AND RE-ACTIVATION,

    PARACIENT POWDER,

    VECTROL PASTE, ZUTA S4, CASTROX OXIDE

    AUTOMATED MONEY DEVELOPER MACHINES

    CONGEAL CHEMICAL MELTING EQUIPMENTS *

    TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS

    Our agent will meet with you in any part of the world.

    CALL OR WATSUPP US @ +27715451704

    Email: gavachemicals88@gmail.com

Leave a comment