Chancey
by Aleta

We are so grateful for our amazing daughter Chancey!

We found her Vitiligo when she was 11 years old. It was just a small spot below her knee. It was where a mosquito bite was located. The bite was very swollen and it looked like it was just a scar, but when it did not go away after the bite healed, we began to think it could be something more but we had never even heard of Vitiligo.

We went to the Dermatologist we saw the intern and we got some scary news at first. She said it could be and most likely was Vitiligo or a rare form of skin cancer, the only way to tell for certain was to biopsy the area and get confirmation. We opted for the biopsy, which we later learned could have activated the spread of the condition. We found for certain that it was in fact Vitiligo.

We had no idea what to expect and were so fortunate to find the AVRF about a year later. After the shock of it all and worrying about other health concerns were put at ease to learn it was not life threatening. Although this condition is not life threatening it can be difficult for teens to deal with. She has mostly good days and some difficult days in dealing with kids and how cruel they can sometimes be, but we have found that educating people is the best way to deal with the negative comments.

Our greatest advice is to help your child deal with the psychological affects of Vitiligo. They feel so ugly at times and helping them to see that some kids will abuse kids even when they do not have a surface condition and that they are what they think and feel they are. Teaching and drilling into her head that she has just as much if not more to offer the world as any other human being is the most important thing we can give these teens. Helping her to see her inner and outer beauty and keeping her mentally strong in her faith is the one thing that helps her to cope with this.

She is and has remained fun loving and positive throughout the process of her Vitiligo. Chancey is now 16 and driving. Her Vitiligo began spreading and that was disheartening for her and for us because of our concern for her well being, however; our family at the AVRF has made a huge impact on her.

Our first Vitiligo conference was this summer 2006 in June. I felt for the first time ever she was inspired to help others with this condition. The Florida experience was amazing for me as well as her. Remember also that your child has this condition and they should be able to express to you how they would like to treat it. We took her to many doctors, herbalists, dermatologists, etc. and she was mentally exhausted-but we just wanted her to be healed. She finally informed us that she just wanted to BE for a while. She just wanted to decide for her own body, what she wanted to do. It was an enlightening day for us. She is capable of being confident enough to decide how SHE wants to be treated and that gave us the most peaceful feeling. She is ready to treat it, in her way.

She chooses to wear skirts and shorts, bathing suits, and dresses, tank tops or Capri's - she is who she is and continues to educate her peers. She continues to be involved in what she has interest in which is High School Rodeo and strives to be her best. There may be times when your teen is silent and withdrawn, just ask and listen. You may find that it has nothing to do with Vitiligo, and a lot to do with just being a teen in our world today. Counseling was great also, it gave her someone to tell things to that would have constructive tools for her to use and she was not worried about any one else's feelings accept her own.

Remember, your teen needs you more now because they are a teen, give to research, and most importantly be careful what you buy on the internet claiming the perfect cure.