An interview with a girl affected by vitiligo
Earlier, you read about the skin condition “vitiligo” (the disease that causes Michael Jackson’s skin color to fade) on this page. You also learned that Lee Thomas, an American TV host, is another person affected by this condition.
People around the world have always viewed this issue with doubt, and many still believe that Michael changed his skin color from black to white because he hated his roots or because of racial problems he faced due to being of African descent.
Now we meet another person affected by vitiligo. In August 2009, two months after the King of Pop’s death, a young African-American girl appeared on the “Today Show” on NBC.
At age 5, signs of vitiligo appeared on her body, and over the years she lost 100% of her skin color.
In her interview, as she spoke about the psychological difficulties of vitiligo, she became emotional while recalling memories from her teenage years.
You can watch the video of this interview on YouTube or download it.
In the interview, she says:
"At age 5, white spots appeared on my arms, and then on my forehead. By age 12, the disease quickly spread to my hands, feet, face, and neck."
She says her family supported her a lot, but in the absence of her mother, she was sometimes emotionally harassed by strangers. She was called names like “spotty,” and families asked their children to stay away from her so the disease wouldn’t spread to them. Vitiligo is a genetic condition and is not contagious. She says that among her extended family, there are people who have vitiligo.
In 1993, Michael first spoke about this disease and said it was the reason his skin color turned white. At that time, vitiligo was unknown to many, just as today many people still don’t know about this condition.
The girl says that in those years she didn’t know anyone else who had this disease, and when Michael talked about his condition, she suddenly felt that she had support and backing. She says there is a lot of evidence showing that Michael’s skin turned white due to vitiligo, and she doesn’t understand why some people refuse to accept this truth.
When the host pointed out that over the years people mocked Michael instead of sympathizing with him, the girl became upset and started crying. She remembered her teenage years, when she was judged because of her appearance and rejected by boys because she wasn’t considered beautiful or attractive.
She says she is still judged, but she has found a way to deal with it, even though seeing people suffering from vitiligo brings her wound back.
She continues:
"Our appearance is different, but we don’t have any other difference from other people."
Source: eMJey.com / Today Show, NBC
In her interview, as she spoke about the psychological difficulties of vitiligo, she became emotional while recalling memories from her teenage years.
You can watch the video of this interview on YouTube or download it.
In the interview, she says:
"At age 5, white spots appeared on my arms, and then on my forehead. By age 12, the disease quickly spread to my hands, feet, face, and neck."
She says her family supported her a lot, but in the absence of her mother, she was sometimes emotionally harassed by strangers. She was called names like “spotty,” and families asked their children to stay away from her so the disease wouldn’t spread to them. Vitiligo is a genetic condition and is not contagious. She says that among her extended family, there are people who have vitiligo.
In 1993, Michael first spoke about this disease and said it was the reason his skin color turned white. At that time, vitiligo was unknown to many, just as today many people still don’t know about this condition.
The girl says that in those years she didn’t know anyone else who had this disease, and when Michael talked about his condition, she suddenly felt that she had support and backing. She says there is a lot of evidence showing that Michael’s skin turned white due to vitiligo, and she doesn’t understand why some people refuse to accept this truth.
When the host pointed out that over the years people mocked Michael instead of sympathizing with him, the girl became upset and started crying. She remembered her teenage years, when she was judged because of her appearance and rejected by boys because she wasn’t considered beautiful or attractive.
She says she is still judged, but she has found a way to deal with it, even though seeing people suffering from vitiligo brings her wound back.
She continues:
"Our appearance is different, but we don’t have any other difference from other people."
Source: eMJey.com / Today Show, NBC