‘We all have our life’s troubles. Just because ours manifests outwardly doesn’t make us less human.’
I WAS CALLED ALBINO, COKE AND FANTA
I looked around and didn’t see anyone who looked like me, and having a two-toned face made me very self-conscious.
PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS CONTAGIOUS
There was a time I couldn’t even take pictures. Anytime I did, I’d delete them immediately.
EXPLAINING MYSELF OVER AND OVER GETS TIRING
Vitiligo is part of my story, but it is not my whole story.
THEY SAID IT’D BE HARD FOR ME TO GET A HUSBAND
It terrified my mom so much that it became the first thing she usually asked God for while praying.
LITTLE KIDS WOULD RUN AWAY FROM ME
I vividly remember walking past a house where a girl my age was sitting on the veranda. She ran inside screaming.
WE ARE NOT SINNERS. WE DIDN’T OFFEND GOD.
Vitiligo has made me stronger and made me realise there are a lot of things I don’t understand.
“WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS ONE’S MOUTH?”
I was an introvert before it started, but afterwards I became more introverted because I just wanted to be indoors.
I WANTED THE GROUND TO SWALLOW ME
Looking back, that younger version of me felt a mix of confusion and fear.
MEDICATION WAS EXPENSIVE, HARD TO FIND
To my surprise, pigment slowly started returning. Week by week, the patch became smaller until it completely repigmented.