Ignorance isn't quite Bliss

It was my goal on this blog to try to keep things light-hearted and positive. To not delve too deeply into my conditions, or the trials that I face because of it. But today is different. Today I feel like I HAVE TO post this specific post. I hope you all understand, and that you may learn about me and who I am because of what I'm about to write.

I have Chronic Pustular Psoriasis. As of next month, I will have had it for 3 years.

I'm going to try to break this down in number form for everyone so that you can more easily understand:

• 300: the number of milligrams a day that I take of Neoral
• 2: the number of shots I give myself per week
• 5: the number of Dermatologists/Specialists I've seen
• 107: the number of times my hands have started bleeding while I was trying to get dressed (yes, I count)
• 65: the percentage amount of hair that has fallen out of my head
• 24: the number of Psoriasis spots that I have at this current moment in addition to my CPP
• 75: the number of pounds I was lifting on the machine in the gym when it tore the skin on my hand open, leading to the contraction of this disease

Over the past 3 years I've dealt with a lot. A lot of self-doubt, a lot of obstacles. I'm lucky enough to have supportive and loving people in my life. But unfortunately, not everyone feels that way. Because the people I surround myself with are nice to me and don't treat me like I'm different, I guess I've become naive over time. Naive in thinking that people don't notice, that I'm normal, or that it doesn't matter. I have a skin disease.

While working at Old Navy yesterday, I endured the hardest situation that I've had to endure in the past 3 years. I had a customer come through my line and ask me how I'm legally allowed to work in customer service when I have such a "disgusting, contagious disease." My reaction was a bit unprofessional when I told her to make sure she washed her clothes twice in hot water before she wore them. But I was mad. Who is this lady that thinks she can talk to me like that?

But in the end, she loses. I may have a chronic skin disease, it's true. I may take an ungodly amount of medicine, visit the doctor 20x as much as anyone I know, be going bald, and have a hard time buttoning my jeans some days... but I have people who love me in my life. Which I have a hard time believing someone as hateful as her has. This was proven to me yesterday when I posted this news on Facebook. So, thank you.