Domna was already an adult (aged 23) when she had her first encounter with vitiligo. “It got difficult to handle others’ shocking reactions while spots were getting bigger and bigger. However, I never cared about what others said about my spots since I was sure that they had no clue what it was. Throughout this time my family stood by me, being very supportive,” young chartered accountant recalls.
It’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of vitiligo. Domna has had her share of unwanted question and assumptions regarding her skin condition. She shares, “Most people confuse it with psoriasis, or ask if it is contagious. They ask if it is going to go away at some point or will it spread all over my body. I wish I knew anything about that.”
Domna has gone through several dermatological examinations and applied many creams that made her skin more sensitive than it already was. She searched online for an explanation and every time she felt unhappy about her spots. But now she doesn’t care about it anymore. “One day I woke up and decided that this is the way I am. I am perfect in my imperfect skin. I got used of my spots. When they got bigger, I got used of my bigger spots. Today, I love my life and everything that I cannot control or change,” the 25-year-old Cypriot pours her heart out.
Today, Domna feels blessed with vitiligo. She says her spots are tattoos sent by God to her. It is vitiligo that helped her understand that Inner beauty is worth much more than outer beauty. Coming across stories of other vitiligo fighters encouraged Domna. And, she pretty happy with the progress vitiligo has made in media in recent years: “There are plenty actors that have vitiligo, but to be honest I never read a book with someone with this condition. In the last few years, people are becoming more aware of this skin condition and have a clearer view of what it is.”
So, how does someone newly diagnosed with vitiligo go about it? Domna goes on sharing a powerful message with fellow vitiligo fighters, “Sadly no one can teach you how to live with vitiligo. There is no manual that tells you how to react when everyone looks at your spots wondering what it is. But there is one tip: If you have it, you can handle it. We are only 1% of the world’s population so feel pretty and unique.”
Domna has been studying accounting and finance in Cyprus. She is almost a qualified charter accountant who has worked for Ernst and Young. We wish her all the best for the future and are happy to have her featured among other Vitiligo Crusaders.
