Jessica
by Tracey

Hi, I am Tracey, the mother of Jessica who has had Vitiligo since the age of 11. She is now 14. We first started noticing small spots on Jessica’s hands and just figured they were some type of windburn or something due to the cold weather. Soon after we started seeing them in other areas and I knew immediately what it was, Vitiligo.

I was upset and a little scared at first. At that time she already had been diagnosed at age six with Crohn’s disease. I could not believe we would now have to worry about something else. This disease has been interesting. I believe that we have gone through about every stage there is regarding the disease. I have gone from anger to fear, and realization to some type of peace. We have started using a UVB panel and we have seen results with it. She now has many “freckles” in her white areas. This seems promising. We do know that there will be areas that will not fill in. We just take it one day at a time.

I know that as she has gotten more spots she also gets more “looks.” She can hide it pretty well in the winter but in the summer it seems we have our struggles again. I just know that even if the “looks” sometimes bother her, she still does the things she wants to do no matter what. If you were to meet her you would never know she has any type of chronic condition. She just keeps going, everyday.

Having AVRF has helped us so much. I have seen and met some amazing children who just don’t let this disease bother or hinder them. If they did have reservations, once they come to the conference and meet others like them, they know they can face anything. The time they spend together makes them stronger when they go home. It is so nice knowing they are not alone and neither are the parents who also feel their children’s pain. Thank you AVRF for all you do!

Tracey,
Mother of Jessica