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 Mathew Helbow on

    I located the money I misplaced, which was about $374,810. I had no idea I would be able to recover my trading funds after a broker liquidated them and blocked my access to my trading account for three months. I’m glad that I had no trouble getting my money back. For their digital cyber intelligence solutions, Hacker Pro Redeemed would like to thank Redeemed Hacker Recovery, a technician known for being a reliable and knowledgeable binary options recovery specialist. Before withdrawing any money from your account, your broker manager recommends making additional deposits. Please use the information below to contact Software Specialist Redeemed Hacker Pro. Email Address: redeemed.h.p@hackermail.com. Website: https://temp-viljfeztaahbonivekem.webadorsite.com/Website: redeemedhackerpros.wixsite.com/redeemedhackerpro 
    For assistance.

  • Posted by Cryp7o Intelligence on

    ARE YOU A VICTIM OF CRYPTOCURRENCY INVESTMENT FRAUD, FOREX OR NFT SCAM? SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH AN ETHICAL HACKER ASAP TO GET STARTED.

    Workmanship fee is to be settled AFTER successful recovery.

    Let us show you the art of Ethical Hacking….!

    ASOREHACKCORP is a private group of financial regulators, private investigation and funds recovery body. We specialize in cases as regards ETHICAL HACKING, CRYPTOCURRENCY, FAKE INVESTMENT SCHEMES and RECOVERY SCAM. We are also experts in CREDIT REPAIR, we analyze what’s impacting your score.

    All software tools needed to execute RECOVERIES from start to finish are available in stock.
    Kindly NOTE that the available tools does NOT apply to CREDIT FIX.

    Be ALERT to FABRICATED reviews and testimonies on the internet, do not get scammed twice.

    Contact our team as soon as you can via the email address below to book a mail meeting with an ethical hacker.
    asorehackcorp (@) gmail (.) com

    Stay Safe out there !⁷

  • Posted by Dr.lenonjack on

    Buy Pain killers | Mdma,2CB,A-PVP,3CMC | OZEMPIC | STEROIDS (Ecstasy/Nembutal) | Heroin Cocaine (Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco)

    Buy Crystal meth, Hydrocodone, Alprazolam Powder, oxycontin, gbl, tramadol, buy GBL, xanax, klonopin, Amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine,2CB , 4-CMC, 3-CMC, 4-MMC, 3-MMC,, A-PVP (FLAK) online MMC, 4MMC, 3CMC China white, P-LSD 2-FA 25I-NBOMe 4-ACO-DMT 4-FA Mdphp 4anpp
    Amphetamine Black Tar Heroin Bromadol HCl MDPV Ephedrine Eutylone Etizolam DFentanyl Flakka A-PVP Furanyl Fentanyl Mephedrone Methamphetamine Methylone Potassium Cyanide Pseudoephedrine & Other research chemicals for sale

    We are vendors for research chemical and pharmaceutical raw. We only offer the purest of these products at 99%. Top Grade quality. All orders come in discreet packaging. Tracking number Provided 6 hrs after order. 2-ME-MAF, Fentanyl, Acetylfentanyl, carfentanil, U-48800, U-47700 Nembutal Pentobarbital ,, DiaMorphine, CBD isolate Alprazolam, Bromadol Hcl, Etizolam, Clonazolam Ketamine, 2F-DCK, 4-CMC, 3-CMC, 4-MMC, 3-MMC ,MDMA, A-pvp (Flakka), Bk-EBDP, 4-methylaminorex (4-MAR) Oxycodone, Roxycodone Raw Powder and many more. We supply upon customer’s request.

    Medicines for weight loss: Mounjaro, Ozempic, wegovy, saxenda

    Buy weight loss pills
    Buy anti-anxiety pills
    Buy anti-depression pills
    Buy sex enhancement pills

    We offer a wide variety of pharmacy products that contain almost everything you need. Fast and discreet shipping quality 100% guaranteed, Express by UPS, FedEx, EMS with tracking number, no receipt required.

    No Prescription

    Ant-anxiety
    Chronic Pain
    Seizures
    Depression
    Migraines
    Arthritis
    Killing Cancer
    Epilepsy
    Post Traumatic stress
    Disorder(pstd)
    Diabetes
    Crohn’s Disease
    Gout
    Pain relief
    Glaucoma
    Opiod Dependence
    Treating Alcohol Abuse

    1-Shipping secure and discreet
    2-tracking number provided for your shipment (Fast,safe and reliable delivery)
    3-with or without scripts
    4-packing is highly discreet sealed, wrapped with an aluminum foil, safe and secure
    5-no signature required upon arrival of parcel

    I am a legit supplier (vendor) of pharmaceuticals for both patients with or without scripts
    I have varieties of pain and anxiety meds
    I offer fast and discrete delivery to any location.
    Fast and secured delivery guaranteed to any location
    I have a 100% record in successful deliveries.

    All Inquiries Below

    Email: infodocuments4@gmail.com

    WhatsApp : +1 314 866 9771

    WhatsApp: +237673528224

    Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco

Leave a comment