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 marleytae6 on

    Buy Real and fake passport, Buy drivers license, WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Buy fake USD, Buy fake Canadian dollars (CAD) Buy fake Chinese yuan, buy fake euros online, Buy USA passport online, Buy Real Biometric Passport, Apply now for your passport, Buy Passport online from your home fast, Buy IETLS Certificate, Where to buy fake passport, WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567 Buy Diplomatic Passport, Buy a USA passport in China, Buy United State Passport online, Buy Finland Passport online, Buy UK Passport online, Buy a German passport online, Buy the United States Driver’s License Online, Buy UK driver’s license online, Buy a German driver’s license online, Buy German driver’s license online | German driving license, Buy New Zealand passport online, Buy Latvia Passport online, Buy Ireland Passport online, Buy Denmark Passport online, Buy Portugal Passport online, Buy Portuguese Passport Online WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    , Buy Luxembourg Passport online, Buy Turkish passport online, Buy Dutch passport online, Buy Norwegian passport online, Buy Poland Passport online, Buy Singapore Passport online, Buy Greece Passport online, Buy Hungarian passport online, Buy Spanish passport online, Buy Thailand Passport online, Buy Chile Passport online, Buy Croatian passport online, Buy Canadian passport online, Buy Costa Rica Passport online, Buy Australia Passport online, Buy Denmark driving license online, Buy Portugal driving license online, Buy Luxembourg driver’s license online, Buy Turkish driver’s license online, Buy Dutch driver’s license online.
    ( https://counterfeitdocsforsale.com/ )Buy 100% undetected counterfeit money WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Fake Dollar Bills for sale
    Kaufen Sie echte und gefälschte Reisepässe, comprar licencia de conducir de estados unidos, Kaufen Sie gefälschte Euro

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    Website: https://buyfakecurrency.com/

    BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY Online https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/buy-counterfeit-money/
    fake Banknotes available for sale, Buy Fake Canadian banknotes online, Buy Grade A Fake Canadian Dollars, Buy Fake CAD-Canadian Banknotes, Order Counterfeit US Dollars Online, Buy fake USA Dollar, Buy Undetectable Counterfeit Money Online, buy fake 100 dollar bills, buy prop money near me, HOW TO BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY ONLINE, Counterfeit USD For Sale Online, Buy fake Euros online https://buyfakecurrency.com/ WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy counterfeit yen online WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy Fake Japanese yen, Buy fake money online, buy fake yen bills online
    Buy Registered documents online, Buy passport online, Buy USA passport online, Where to buy passport online, Buy passport near me, Buy drivers license, Buy USA drivers license
    Buy German drivers license https://buyfakecurrency.com/deutsche-fuhrerschein-kaufen/
    Buy IETLS Certificate, Buy IELTS & Diplomas online, buy IELTS certificate without exam, get IELTS certificate without test, Registered IELTS Certificate for Sale, Buy TOEFL certificate online, Buy Registered TOEFL certificate
    Buy TOEFL Certificate without exam
    https://buyfakecurrency.com/buy-fake-usd/

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    Website: https://buyfakecurrency.com/
    http://www.illuminatiglobalfraternity.com/
    BUY REAL DOCUMENTS ONLINE https://buyfakecurrency.com/

  • Posted by marleytae6 on

    Buy Real and fake passport, Buy drivers license, WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Buy fake USD, Buy fake Canadian dollars (CAD) Buy fake Chinese yuan, buy fake euros online, Buy USA passport online, Buy Real Biometric Passport, Apply now for your passport, Buy Passport online from your home fast, Buy IETLS Certificate, Where to buy fake passport, WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567 Buy Diplomatic Passport, Buy a USA passport in China, Buy United State Passport online, Buy Finland Passport online, Buy UK Passport online, Buy a German passport online, Buy the United States Driver’s License Online, Buy UK driver’s license online, Buy a German driver’s license online, Buy German driver’s license online | German driving license, Buy New Zealand passport online, Buy Latvia Passport online, Buy Ireland Passport online, Buy Denmark Passport online, Buy Portugal Passport online, Buy Portuguese Passport Online WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    , Buy Luxembourg Passport online, Buy Turkish passport online, Buy Dutch passport online, Buy Norwegian passport online, Buy Poland Passport online, Buy Singapore Passport online, Buy Greece Passport online, Buy Hungarian passport online, Buy Spanish passport online, Buy Thailand Passport online, Buy Chile Passport online, Buy Croatian passport online, Buy Canadian passport online, Buy Costa Rica Passport online, Buy Australia Passport online, Buy Denmark driving license online, Buy Portugal driving license online, Buy Luxembourg driver’s license online, Buy Turkish driver’s license online, Buy Dutch driver’s license online.
    ( https://counterfeitdocsforsale.com/ )Buy 100% undetected counterfeit money WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Fake Dollar Bills for sale
    Kaufen Sie echte und gefälschte Reisepässe, comprar licencia de conducir de estados unidos, Kaufen Sie gefälschte Euro

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    Website: https://buyfakecurrency.com/

    BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY Online https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/buy-counterfeit-money/
    fake Banknotes available for sale, Buy Fake Canadian banknotes online, Buy Grade A Fake Canadian Dollars, Buy Fake CAD-Canadian Banknotes, Order Counterfeit US Dollars Online, Buy fake USA Dollar, Buy Undetectable Counterfeit Money Online, buy fake 100 dollar bills, buy prop money near me, HOW TO BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY ONLINE, Counterfeit USD For Sale Online, Buy fake Euros online https://buyfakecurrency.com/ WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy counterfeit yen online WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy Fake Japanese yen, Buy fake money online, buy fake yen bills online
    Buy Registered documents online, Buy passport online, Buy USA passport online, Where to buy passport online, Buy passport near me, Buy drivers license, Buy USA drivers license
    Buy German drivers license https://buyfakecurrency.com/deutsche-fuhrerschein-kaufen/
    Buy IETLS Certificate, Buy IELTS & Diplomas online, buy IELTS certificate without exam, get IELTS certificate without test, Registered IELTS Certificate for Sale, Buy TOEFL certificate online, Buy Registered TOEFL certificate
    Buy TOEFL Certificate without exam
    https://buyfakecurrency.com/buy-fake-usd/

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    Website: https://buyfakecurrency.com/
    http://www.illuminatiglobalfraternity.com/
    BUY REAL DOCUMENTS ONLINE https://buyfakecurrency.com/

  • Posted by marleytae6 on

    Buy Real and fake passport, Buy drivers license, WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Buy fake USD, Buy fake Canadian dollars (CAD) Buy fake Chinese yuan, buy fake euros online, Buy USA passport online, Buy Real Biometric Passport, Apply now for your passport, Buy Passport online from your home fast, Buy IETLS Certificate, Where to buy fake passport, WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567 Buy Diplomatic Passport, Buy a USA passport in China, Buy United State Passport online, Buy Finland Passport online, Buy UK Passport online, Buy a German passport online, Buy the United States Driver’s License Online, Buy UK driver’s license online, Buy a German driver’s license online, Buy German driver’s license online | German driving license, Buy New Zealand passport online, Buy Latvia Passport online, Buy Ireland Passport online, Buy Denmark Passport online, Buy Portugal Passport online, Buy Portuguese Passport Online WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    , Buy Luxembourg Passport online, Buy Turkish passport online, Buy Dutch passport online, Buy Norwegian passport online, Buy Poland Passport online, Buy Singapore Passport online, Buy Greece Passport online, Buy Hungarian passport online, Buy Spanish passport online, Buy Thailand Passport online, Buy Chile Passport online, Buy Croatian passport online, Buy Canadian passport online, Buy Costa Rica Passport online, Buy Australia Passport online, Buy Denmark driving license online, Buy Portugal driving license online, Buy Luxembourg driver’s license online, Buy Turkish driver’s license online, Buy Dutch driver’s license online.
    ( https://counterfeitdocsforsale.com/ )Buy 100% undetected counterfeit money WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567 Fake Dollar Bills for sale
    Kaufen Sie echte und gefälschte Reisepässe, comprar licencia de conducir de estados unidos, Kaufen Sie gefälschte Euro

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    Website: https://buyfakecurrency.com/

    BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY Online https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/buy-counterfeit-money/
    fake Banknotes available for sale, Buy Fake Canadian banknotes online, Buy Grade A Fake Canadian Dollars, Buy Fake CAD-Canadian Banknotes, Order Counterfeit US Dollars Online, Buy fake USA Dollar, Buy Undetectable Counterfeit Money Online, buy fake 100 dollar bills, buy prop money near me, HOW TO BUY COUNTERFEIT MONEY ONLINE, Counterfeit USD For Sale Online, Buy fake Euros online https://buyfakecurrency.com/ WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy counterfeit yen online WHATSAPP : +1(725) 867-9567, Buy Fake Japanese yen, Buy fake money online, buy fake yen bills online
    Buy Registered documents online, Buy passport online, Buy USA passport online, Where to buy passport online, Buy passport near me, Buy drivers license, Buy USA drivers license
    Buy German drivers license https://buyfakecurrency.com/deutsche-fuhrerschein-kaufen/
    Buy IETLS Certificate, Buy IELTS & Diplomas online, buy IELTS certificate without exam, get IELTS certificate without test, Registered IELTS Certificate for Sale, Buy TOEFL certificate online, Buy Registered TOEFL certificate
    Buy TOEFL Certificate without exam
    https://buyfakecurrency.com/buy-fake-usd/

    CONTACT US:
    WHATSAPP: +1(725) 867-9567
    WHATSAPP : +1(318) 406-1272
    Signal : +1(725) 867-9567
    Website: https://www.counterfeitdocsforsale.com/
    http://www.illuminatiglobalfraternity.com/
    BUY REAL DOCUMENTS ONLINE https://buyfakecurrency.com/

Leave a comment