Today, I'm featuring my new friend, Lucy B's personal testimony of living with vitiligo. Check out more about her, see her picture and learn more about this amazing jazz vocalist on her website. (girlfriend can "sang" ) :-) http://www.nylaee.info/


Hola Maia,

Thank you for such a nice blog about our lunch. I had a great time as well. This is the first time I have had a chance to talk to someone who can relate on a real level what it is like to live with Vitiligo. I don't think I have had it as bad psychologically, because I was afflicted with it when I was a child and my parents never made me feel different because I had it.

They were concerned and we tried many things to treat it, but I always felt loved and secure. I think it gave me the time to get used to it and by the time I reached adulthood, I had accepted it, embraced it and do my best to live as full a life as possible despite the stares, whispers and discomfort people may feel when they deal with me. As discussed, attached is my head shot that shows my vitiligo in performance. I only cover my face when I perform or go out in public, and 'what you see is what you get' is my attitude about everything else. I feel the person that I am and the blessing of my music is far more engaging than the colors of my skin.


I could not find the article I mentioned to you about the treatment being different for black people as opposed to white people, but below is close to what I found. You have to purchase the article or perhaps it can be found in the library. take a look see and let me know what you think. My website is www.nylaee.info. I am the lead vocalist and Mychal Andrews is my musical director and the supportive boyfriend I mentioned to you. When I met him about 10 years ago, he never made me feel different or weird about it. He accepted the vitiligo in me and even encourages me to go out without make-up( I have done it a few times for a quick trip to the market, but I am not ready to go and socialize without make-up) He always complements me on my color and I appreciate him for that.

That's it for now. ARTICLE:From the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy,a and the University of California Medical School, San Francisco, California.Available online 24 June 2003.

Racial variability in skin function is an area in which data oftenconflict. Understanding and quantifying racial differences in skinfunction are important for skin care and the prevention and treatment of skin diseases. A key feature that characterizes race is skin color: Is deeply pigmented skin different from fair skin in terms of responsest o chemical and environmental insults? Is skin care the same? Are there different risks among racial groups of developing a skin disease afterexposure to the same insults? The interpretation of pathophysiologicphenomena should consider not only anatomic and functional characteristics of ethnic groups but also socioeconomic, hygienic, and nutritional factors. This article reviews and discusses recent findings. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:S139-42.)Lucy Blanco http://www.nylaee.info/