Mai Introduction Again for new Site

OriginalPosting by Maia at 12:46 PM 2 comments
Labels: My feel for today
Thursday, March 27, 2008

Born Brown Turning White: What an interesting life this will be.

This is my personal physical, mental, emotional and romantic journey of my skin pigmentation disorder. I am changing colors daily right before my eyes and yours. Anyhoo, I just felt it was time for me to share with you my viewpoint as an African-American Female over the age of 35, and how I cope with this strange and life changing pigment disorder. It started in the summer of 1995 while I was working out in my house. I stopped and looked at my fingernails to see if I needed a manicure and there was my first white spot.

This condition is known as Michael Jacksons skin disorder, but the medical term is called, Vitiligo, (Vit-a-lye-go). One thing about Michael Jackson, after I was diagnosed with Vitiligo, I realized that the reason Michael was wearing the white glittered glove, was to cover his patched hands, better known to me as the Pecan Swirl.Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of the body? And the darker your pigmentation the less you burn from the sun rays, however you can still burn.

There are hundreds of thousands of people from all races, genders, and ages that were born with or manifested vitiligo in their lives. Many are what my sister calls spotted all over, or completely have turned all the way white. Meaning, they have lost all of their skin color and are very white looking.I must admit people do stare at me but not as soon as they see me. It has not invaded my face but is all over my hands and feet. And some other non obvious places on my Bod. (now this could get real interesting!!)Vitiligo is such a mysterious pigment disorder. There are many medical ideas of what might cause it but there is no cure.

THere are ways to prolong the pigment change by light treatment. It's like getting into a tanning bed and having the "lights on" from seconds to minutes several times a week to generate pigment cells to fill in where the skin has already turned white.My dermatologist charges $90.00 a treatment so it ain't cheap, especially for those who have Vitiligo and have no insurance...OUCH!! There are as always holistic remedies but again they are always slower and are not said to be a 100% cure to Vitiligo.One thing about Michael Jackson, after I was diagnosed with Vitiligo, I realized that the reasonMany people have asked me why do I still want to be in the entertainment television industry? I have one word to answer and that is PASSION!!

I love people and culture so I respond with why should I stop doing what I love just because my skin is changing colors? Lee Thomas the Detroit reporter who went on television shows to discuss vitiligo and his career with "Larry King" and "20/20", is my inspiration.Image is almost everything but these days, truth and change have taken on a new growth. Humans understanding and compassion about different and unusual manifestations of life; be it disease, environment, birth, aging, sickness and death, war,the plight to be happy, accepted and healthy, allow a blog like this to dispel the myths and open our hearts and minds to be inclusive of what we see, hear and do that's different.

The Pecan Swirl Blog will be a platform to discuss not only issues with Vitiligo but anything healthy, constructive (and let's not be too boring GOSSIP, Venting and straight talk) to life changes and to support one another with knowledge, compassion and the fostering of great brain activity and damn good juicy gossip!!


So, I am willing to answer as many questions as I feel comfortable with because I really want you to understand this condition. And also have more knowledge and compassion toward others who you might see out and about or of people you know. Vitiligo is not contagious but I hope my story is.......:-)

And so our journey begins,

Maia