I have had psoriasis for as long as I could walk. I am now 23 years old and have always found ways to hide my tormented skin from the public. When I was in elementary school, I was stared at and constantly asked questions about my skin. But even worse than the looks, stares and never-ending questions, I couldn’t sleep many nights because of the sharp pain and continuous itching of my skin.

During middle school and high school, I found new ways to cover my skin up, such as by wearing piles of makeup, or long sleeves and jackets in the summer time. No one really questioned my skin problems during this time. However, it prevented me from playing many sports or trying out for the cheerleading team, because not being a "freak" was much more important to me than finding a passion in sports or dance.

I am in graduate school now, and my skin problems still find a way to monitor my stress levels (when I’m really worried, anxious or stressed the inflammations seem to increase). However, I do live a normal life (at least in the winter months, when I am considered to be dressed appropriately) and I have realized that my skin cannot limit me in achieving my goals in life. I have psoriasis, it doesn’t have me.

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