Vitiligo is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells that make pigment in the skin are destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes. Unfortunately, this sort of skin pigmentation is hard to overcome. However, there are some skin pigmentation treatment options that might be helpful. Perhaps people like Tray should consider researching those treatments to see if they could improve the skin condition.
Did you go to the doctors for an official diagnosis? It took a while for me to go to the doctor, I realized that it wasn’t going away so I decided to go. That was my first time hearing about Vitiligo. Hearing a doctor tell you that there is a good chance that you will possibly start developing white patches spots all over my body is hard to take. The hardest part is the fact that doctors are not sure if it will go away or not, how bad it will get, or if any treatment for it will actually work. Some doctors can be insensitive to the feeling of the person hearing this type of news. With it not being a life threatening disease, they would come off with telling you it’s just skin so you will be okay; this is terrible to say as a doctor. It’s not going to kill you but depending on the person it can take a toll on you mentally. After all, it is neither something that can be wished away, nor is it a dermal deficiency the effects of which can be reduced through quality skincare creams like those from Beverly Hills MD.
Here are some of my encounters and my internal thoughts, It’s called Vitiligo!
– To the old lady that walked up to me and said: “Poor thing what’s wrong it’s going to be OK because God is good”. IT’S CALLED VITILIGO
– The people I haven’t seen is a long time who say “Oh, didn’t know you got burned in a fire”. I didn’t. IT’S CALLED VITILIGO
– To the kid who cried in fear at first glance as if I was the boogie monster in their nightmares coming to steal them. IT’S CALLED VITILIGO
– To the kid that asked why do I look weird. Different doesn’t mean weird it just means my awesomeness is different than yours. Thank you to the parents that checked their child. IT’S CALLED VITILIGO
– To the folks that just can’t stop staring. IT’S CALLED VITILIGO
Tray’s wife Zarinah is second from the left in purple.
I have to say my wife has been there from the beginning to present day and has been there with open arms through it all. Even when I feel this is a me issue and don’t share my thoughts I know that she is there for me and that will never change. She is no doubt my someone and I truly love her for that. I have to say thank you, my close family and friends, for never looking at me differently or treating me different. Thank you for that, it means more than you will ever know.
A big thanks and lots of love to Tray and his wife Zarinah for helping me write this post. I’m so thankful that Tray was open to sharing his truth, that isn’t an easy thing to do. Especially in a society that puts so much focus on appearance, I’m sure it makes it even harder for someone with Vitiligo.
The next time you see someone in the street with Vitiligo, speak, shake their hand, give them a compliment. Let them know it’s okay to be different, and that you appreciate their awesomeness.
Do you or someone you know have Vitiligo? Are you guilty of looking harder at someone that looks different? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG and Twitter.
Thank you for shedding light on vitiligo. I had no idea that it could develop so late in life and would spread so quickly; I assumed people were born with the condition. This interview was very informative.
I’m happy to share Chanel, I had no idea how it happened until I did this interview.
Such an awesome post! I am so happy to know Tray and really appreciate his rawness and realness!
Thanks Chrissy, I’m so thankful he opened all the way up.
Chrissy I figured who better to be open and trust with my truth than someone that I know. Especially with this amazing platform that she has. Thanks for appreciating the read.
I can’t imagine having to deal with vitiligo. It’s such a visible thing, and people are so rude, they’ll just stare and make other people feel bad about themselves. I LOVE what they’re doing.
Stacie, it can be really tough. Can you imagine the face you’ve looked at in the mirror a thousand times suddenly looks different?
Thank you Stacie. Mimi you are correct going through a sudden change like this can be a mental battle at times. As long as there are far more good days.
People can be so rude about differences, especially when they’re visible like vitiligo. Spreading awareness is important for things like this.
Thanks Pam, I totally agree. Sometime we just need other options.
Thanks for sharing Tray’s story and all the information about vitiligo. I actually didn’t realize how much it changed over time – I guess I thought it was more of something that you were born with, not as much a later onset. People can be so cruel; only goes to show how shallow they are. Glad people like you are helping to spread awareness.
Marysa, I thought you were born with it as well. It has been around for a long time but it’s interesting how they still don’t have all the answers about it. People are extremely rude.
This is a fantastic post bringing awareness to such an unusual and not very well known skin condition. Vitilgo is one of those things that you’ve heard of, but don’t really know what it is. This post was so informational.
Exactly, Jeni. I felt the same way. I heard about it but I didn’t know anything about it.
Thank you Jeni, trust me when I say I knew about as much as anyone else before it started. Then it was a must that I try to inform myself as much as possible on what is going on with me. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Oh, so it’s called Vitiligo. I didn’t know much about this disorder until now, but I’ve seen a person with white patches on her skin before. I hope this walk raised more awareness. Thank you for sharing this post.
You are so welcome. I wanted to bring awareness and share the real life of those with vitiligo.
This post is EVERYTHING! I can only imagine how rough it might be because people can be such jerks when people are different. This is so important to spread awareness about a day like this. I absolutely love this post. Thank you so much for sharing it and giving the insight of what it is like for someone dealing with it.
You are so welcome Jamie. It does me no good to have such a platform and not use it to educate others.
Awesome interview! Thank you for educating me on vitiligo and spreading awareness as well!
Thanks, Rondra. Thank you for reading, spread the word.
It is so awesome for you to be able to support your friend like this! I know it must be hard to have people asking him about his condition! Stay strong Tray!
Thanks, Lauren. I try my best to show up for people.
I have a friend with vitiligo and honestly never even noticed that it was “bad” until she pointed it out. I say “bad” because I know she’s insecure about it but I always thought she was a pretty girl, white patches or not.
Ricci, the hard part is as their loved ones we still see their beauty but they have a hard time seeing what we see.
I am glad he shared his story. There are so many people with it even in entertainment and they cover it up. Must be tough to just develop something out of no where and then people look at you strange because they are uneducated. Glad you shed some light and so did he. Always great to support friends too!
You are right Holly, I know a few that wear makeup to cover up their truth. It is a hard personal journey but I hope this empowers someone.
This is so interesting to learn about this condition. I do see people looking like this from time to time, I have never known exactly what it is – thank you for sharing this.
You are officially informed E H.
Tray sounds like an awesome person who is embracing his Vitiligo. I’ve only known one person with it, but I always thought it made him so unique and I think it makes Tray unique too. And he’s handsome regardless so he just needs to ignore people who stare. Be you. And you’re an awesome friend for helping to support this day. I didn’t know there was such a day either.
He really is Terri, thanks a bunch.
Thank you Terri for those kind words about my husband. He really is an amazing person!
I know all about this! my ex-husband has vitiligo as well as his mom, AND one of my very good friends! I think it’s great that you went out to support your friend and be involved in the step wars! You’re a good friend ; )
thank you Tray for sharing your story!
Oh wow Eloise, thanks.
I have seen other people have this disorder but had no idea what it was called. Awareness is key in helping others who might be too embarrassed to reach out for help. Thank you and your friends for sharing this information.
Thanks, you are so right. Awareness is key for sure.
I appreciate him sharing his story. I think vitiligo is definitely one of those diseases that people don’t really try to understand because they think ‘its just skin’ and its not skin cancer. But I can only imagine how such a huge change in how you look each day can affect you.
Jonna, I think you are so right.
I grew up with a ton of kids who had it. They were all born with it, I hadn’t known anyone who developed Vitiligo later on in life, I also had no idea there was an even a world vitiligo day.
That is fascinating Tracy, I hope they had a normal childhood. Kids can be cruel.
In our world life is tougher for people who wear their differences externally. I know your friend is strong, and I’m sure it meant the world to him to have your support. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Elle. It is tough to wear our differences externally.
Thank you for sharing your friend’s story with us. I know a person with vitligo and the way people have treated her. Awareness is the only way to quell ignorance.
You are right Kita, it sucks that they have to be treated so badly. Like, why is that necessary.
The first time I ever saw vitiligo was when I came to D.C. as a kid. I had never seen anything like that before and my mother explained it to me. I didn’t see a person with it again until I came back to DC as an adult. We see it so much here in the district that my kids are used to it and know what it is.
Living in a major city will certainly give you a variety of experiences. I love that you educated your children.
I didn’t know there was a Vitiligo Day to spread awareness! I grew up seeing someone like this in my church so it’s not something that has ever taken me by surprise when I’ve encountered people with the disorder. I’m curious it it something that’s hereditary?
Thanks, Lauren. It doesn’t seem to be hereditary. There is still so much that is unknown about Vitiligo, which is crazy because it has been around for centuries.
Hello Mimi,
This was such a fabulous read. I have known Tray since 2011, watching his physical changes throughout the years. Tray was the first person to every explain to me what Vitiligo is, that was about four years ago. This article puts into perspective what he, the person with this condition goes through. For the individuals who know Tray, we see him as we have always seen him. Handsome, hardworking, awesome father to his two children and incredible husband to Zarinah. It is very easy for me, not see his physical changes because, to me, he is Tray, same friendly face and fist bump every morning. But for Tray, I can now see this is completely different and much more difficult. So much more than I imagined. Having to interact with new faces daily who don’t know, and/or, understand. Reading the encounters and internal thoughts he has had to endure brought me to tears. Your article puts into perspective the need to educate others and our children. Thank you, Mimi, and thank you Tray, for sharing your story.
Thank you, Lindsay. Often times we see the strength of people and forget that they hurt on the inside. This gave me a new perspective, writing this and now reading the comments keeps my eyes teared up.
Thanks Lindsay! You had my eyes sweating. Those words are so real and we thank you so much for them!
Thank you very much Lindsay. I really appreciate all that you said. Many know that I am usually not one to share this much of myself. I guess the time was right for me to give my Vitiligo truth to Mimi and her amazing platform.
The title of this blog is super fitting. People can really be super rude when they see something or someone they are not used to. I enjoyed reading his story and I love that you were able to support his “walk”!
Thanks, Bree. People have lost their compassion for others it seems.
Thank you for shredding light on such a sensitive topic and something that many are struggling with in this life. I loved progressive pictures allowed by your dear friend.
Thanks, Evelyn. I’m so thankful he shared them with me.
I haven’t heard about the Vituligoday and so glad that you share this awesome post other people were so rude when they see the difference of others.
Thanks, Misty. I’m so happy I was able to share his story.
This is such an informative post. I had a great aunt on my mother’s side of the family that had Vitiligo. I did not understand it at first, being so young. I thought she had something contagious. However, as I grew up, I learned more about this medical condition. It is hard to deal with such a visible disease.
Oh wow, I like that you learned about it early on. As kids sometimes we know that things just are although we don’t understand it.
I learned so much that I didn’t know before so thank you for sharing his awesome story!
Thanks, Michaela.
Thank you for raising awareness to the disease. Vitiligo, although not a debilitating disease still takes away a person’s confidence because of the visible skin discoloration. Your friend is such a fighter and I know deep down it hurts when people stare. I wish him well always, and thank you, for helping people know more about Vitiligo.
Thank you, Annemarie. People forget that just because it won’t kill us doesn’t mean it is easy to deal with.
Thank you Annemarie, you are right it can take a serious toll on a person mentally. I can understand why some with vitiligo cover it up. Everyone is different on the way they can handle others always reminding them that they look different with awkward stares they will receive.
I don’t know anyone with vitiligo but current supermodel, Winnie Harlow is really changing the standard of beauty within the fashion industry with her confidence!
Yes, Oyinkan she is. I’m so happy to see the change take place.
Great interview. I have a few family members who have vitiligo. I can’t wait to celebrate/observe World Vitiligo Day next June. I’ve definitely heard some horror stories and seen the stares my family members get when they’re in public. It’s frustrating and irritating, but they handle it well and I admire their strength and patience when dealing with those kinds of people.
Wow K. it sucks that people are so dag on rude.
I love being black sooo much, I believe I would be impacted mentally if I suddenly and slowly began lossing my melanin. I have seen people with vitiligo and never saw them as different nor was I afraid. I realize my indifference could be just as harmful as a judgemental stare or a crude word from a child. I really appreciate any post that requires self reflection.
LeShelle, I could totally understand that.
LeShelle I understand where you are coming from. We all go through situations that makes us sit back self reflect. Thank you for appreciating my truth.
Great article. I haven’t had a lot of negative experiences yet. My vitiligo is not really noticeable on my skin as I am deathly pale/auburn, but my right lower lashes (and now, my upper lashes as well), brow and right temple are turning white as snow. My sister in law told me it looks like I’ve shaved part of my brow, and asked me why I don’t dye it! My mother in law told me it’s a shame since I have pretty eyes and should recolor the lashes/brow. I explained that it doesn’t work as well as you’d think and lasts a week, at most.
I’ve already learned that you can tell a lot about the people around you by their reactions. Think of it as a blessing in that regard. The down side being that the sun has no mercy on us.
Thank you for sharing your truth. I am thankful that you are comfortable sharing it here with me. People can be cruel sometimes because they are just nasty people. Others don’t realize they are being rude.