D’Yonna Riley noticed her first vitiligo patch as a child. She was probably seven years old at that time. “It was more difficult as a child as well as a teen. Vitiligo added to the feelings of discomfort and unfamiliarity as my body developed during puberty. Additionally, I found it difficult to fit in with my peers when my vitiligo made me stick out like a sore thumb,” D’Yonna (aka Dee) recalls.
Dee’s family, especially her oldest sister, played a big role in supporting her and maintaining her feel comfortable. She shares what tricks she used to get used to living with vitiligo: “At a young age, I looked at myself in the mirror every day and said positive things about myself. It felt silly at first, but it helped plant the seed in my mind that I was already everything I aspired to be. I am constantly working on feeding my mind positivity.”
When Dee was younger, her mom got her the book, Turning White: A Memoir of Change. This was the first work she came across about vitiligo. It helped her feel more understood and less alone knowing that a TV broadcaster had the same condition.
Now, Dee is inspired by all of the beautiful men and women who embrace their uniqueness and use it to help others. “I love seeing others creatively channel their passions and unique qualities into an impactful project. Also, having this condition has taught me a lot about myself, others, and has changed my perspective on life. The condition that I once thought was the biggest curse has become a sort of blessing,” the 24 years old New Yorker makes a point.
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It seems to be a common misconception that someone who is disabled or unique in some way is suffering and unhappy. But, Dee chooses to challenge that perception, “People automatically assume I want a cure when in reality I am happy with my skin and do not seek treatment by choice. I stopped seeking treatment during my sophomore year of college after I had a consultation for semi-permanent makeup. I felt so uncomfortable looking in the mirror and not seeing my vitiligo. I decided that I didn’t want to live my life hiding who I truly was,” Dee pours her heart out.
“Do you feel like people with vitiligo are underrepresented in books, and movies? We asked Dee. She replied, “I think that REAL people are underrepresented in books and movies, not just those with vitiligo. The media capitalizes on our insecurities by showing people with perfect lives, personalities, circumstances – people who aren’t relatable to us, but who we may aspire to be like in one way or another. It’s time for REAL people to step up and show others that there is beauty and power in being yourself, imperfections and all.”
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D’Yonna is currently residing in New York where she works as a marketing coordinator/paid media specialist. She runs a baking blog called vitiligobaker.com and also models in her free time. She will soon be joining a program to become a certified professional coach. Dee hopes to help individuals during their journey of self-love and self-acceptance, as well as during times of transition. Team ‘Unite For Vitiligo’ wishes her all the best!
