This is a real disease. I know because people I am related to, suffer from this so I really felt sorry for Michael Jackson when people didn’t believe him. It must have been so frustrating for poor Michael.
Jon Hamm’s hands have become discoloured in places. He told Rolling Stone magazine,
“You do have to be mentally acute for a significant period of time, and that becomes pretty draining.
“I have vitiligo. It’s stress-oriented. It comes and goes and waxes and wanes. This did not exist before the show.”
{via}
I have vitiligo on my hands, arms, legs, and feet. The tone you take is unwarranted – “real disease”, “suffer”, “felt sorry for”, “frustrating for poor Michael”. It’s part of my identity, no different than someone’s brown hair or blue eyes. It’s not painful and it’s certainly not an impairment. I don’t suffer any more than you suffer because of your skin. There’s no question some with it could be self-conscious, but as with everything in life, you have to be comfortable in your own skin (literally)
I now realize that was the wrong tone…..really sorry about that Mike. Learnt something today. Will be more aware in the future.
It’s not an impairment??????? Are you kidding me, Mike?? Yes, we with vitiligo DO suffer, we ARE frustrated. Might be somewhat different in the US, where Michael J. is a household name, but where I live hardly anyone has even heard of vitiligo. I’ve had people telling me to go to the Dr. because it’s a fungal infection (!!!!!!!!!!) or have had people wondering if I’ve been in a fire!
I’m really glad that you’ve come to terms with your disorder Mike – hats off to you! But everyone I know with the disorder, apart from ONE person, really does suffer from this. So, thanks Bookjunkie for your insight.
Thanks so much for your thoughts on the subject as well EA. I think my cousin feels the way you do.
Vitiligo is caused by Food allergies. Most likely Gluten or Dairy
From what I know it’s genetic?