Friday, June 6, 2008
Today was a good day. I had a great meeting with some people. But I noticed that when I lifted my hands out of my lap during my conversation, all eyes moved toward staring at my vitiligo. Of course I am used to this but today it was different.I watched their eyes follow the movement of my hands. They did not notice me watching them watch me.
All I could do was chuckle to myself. My feelings were that of a Behavioral Scientist monitoring the movements of everyday people surprised by the not so normal or uncommon disfigurations of a population affected by imperfections.In that moment, I realized that I can no longer hide my little physical imperfections that vitiligo demands the world to see. But now, I can use this distraction to create value and to educate those that might find it weird, scary or just very interesting to see.Either way, I am okay with it and still love being brown!
I decided to treat myself to a wonderful massage at the Massage Garage on Bagley and Venice in Culver City, CA. I love this place because all massages are $45.00 and hour and the massage therapists are all Excellent!Doctors have suggested that people with vitiligo should excercise and make time for relaxation during a hectic work week.
When we are less stressed and our diet is healthy, our pigment is less affected and may not turn white as quickly. I have noticed when I am stressed out, that when I wake up in the morning, I will check my hands and feet to see if there are any new white spots.And yes, there are new spots more often especially, if I do not sleep well. However, when I am rested and feeling well, it remains the same without a widespread of new white spots.And so life continues.........
Greetings All,
Have been meeting many people and funny thing, they all have been telling me that "turning white" is a hot topic these days. Trust me, I'd love that if they added that I could turn brown again. Nonetheless, it is what it is, Vitiligo and so I am adjusting even though I have had it for over ten years.It's hot as hell in Los Angeles and the combo of heat and sun can hurt or help my pigmentation. It all depends on the time of day.
I am told by previous dermatologists that, the sun can organically help bring back my pigment. However, at peak hours of the day, it can also burn my skin and cause blisters which could lead to cancer. Well, Damn!!So, I have noticed loss of pigment spreading on my ankles and hands. But that did not stop me from shopping at the Charles David warehouse shoe sale this past weekend. Spots or not, my legs still loook goood and my $498.00 stillettos that I purchased for $35.00 were not hotter than the day!So I got 5 pair of coutoure heels and who says you can't look sharp even if you have a physical flaw; if you take care of yourself people appreciate that and so do you!Well, that's all I am feeling for now, gotta eat and get my work out going!
Have been meeting many people and funny thing, they all have been telling me that "turning white" is a hot topic these days. Trust me, I'd love that if they added that I could turn brown again. Nonetheless, it is what it is, Vitiligo and so I am adjusting even though I have had it for over ten years.It's hot as hell in Los Angeles and the combo of heat and sun can hurt or help my pigmentation. It all depends on the time of day.
I am told by previous dermatologists that, the sun can organically help bring back my pigment. However, at peak hours of the day, it can also burn my skin and cause blisters which could lead to cancer. Well, Damn!!So, I have noticed loss of pigment spreading on my ankles and hands. But that did not stop me from shopping at the Charles David warehouse shoe sale this past weekend. Spots or not, my legs still loook goood and my $498.00 stillettos that I purchased for $35.00 were not hotter than the day!So I got 5 pair of coutoure heels and who says you can't look sharp even if you have a physical flaw; if you take care of yourself people appreciate that and so do you!Well, that's all I am feeling for now, gotta eat and get my work out going!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
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
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
Friday, May 30, 2008
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