Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted in quite sometime now.  My daughter Hannah was diagnosed with Vitiligo since she was 3 years old.  I noticed a white spot on her belly that continued to grow with time.  I googled online white patches on belly and it came across vitiligo so I began to read.  I made an apt to see a dermatologist because Vitilitgo was not widely known at the time they called it eczema which I knew different , but ok.  With Hannah being so young anyways I didn't fell it was the best decision to have her try any of the treatments out there for treating Vitiligo like steroid cream, and light therapy just yet.  Hannah started pre-school and at that point it had spread on her legs, arms, and such.  It never bothered Hannah the way it bothered me.  I cried, I got angry, question why so many times, but knew there was nothing that I did to cause this and had to just read and educate myself and Hannah how to cope with this.  I did such that, so when people would ask Hannah and I could tell them.  As the  years went on it spread and became noticeable, her tummy was all white, her patches on her legs where growing.  Being Portuguese our skin gets really dark in the summer months, this is when it affected Hannah and I a lot more.  Hannah still wasn't too bothered by it.  I on the other hand would get really nasty and protective over Hannah when we would get the stairs and questions.  UGH !!!  I just wanted to protected my little girl from emotional harm.  As years went on Hannah started becoming upset and vocal about the way she looked.  That is when I decided to take her back to the derm to explore our options.  We started the steroid cream a few times a day.  Using it for a month or so it did NOTHING for Hannah.  I waited again and told Hannah when she wanted me to talk to the derm again for another treatment I would. At the age of 12 she began getting upset being in upper grades it became harder on Hannah.  The kids have been great even now.  I have always talked to the teacher and explained Hannah condition so that she would talk to Hannah's class about it so that it was be better on Hannah.  I remember Hannah coming home and stating " UGH mommy every time someone asks me if I'm contagious or does it hurt, my head hurts", its so annoying she would say.  Her class mates have been wonderful and have not made Hannah feel any different other than looks if that make any sense.  Hannah started UV treatment when she was 13 years old I will tell you in just 6 months of treatment 3 times a week her pigment started coming back.  Hannah and I got so excited and finally beginning to gain hope that their will be a cure, she can beat this.  It's amazing how different Hannah looks now and her confidents gets built up more and more as the days go by.  Hannah's tummy looks like she has freckles it looks amazing.. Her legs have a palm left of white on both knees where as before it was down to her foot with white.  Her elbows just this summer started filling in.  After months of UV treatments we decided to quit for a bit considering summer was approaching.  With being in the sun her pigment continued to come back.  We did continue to lather her in a bath of sun screen not wanting her to burn.  Hannah is not 15 and she is doing well.  This summer we have seen more skin fill in and its amazing but she isn't burning like she had in the past and we haven't used much sun screen..  On the other hand I am become worse with emotions.  It's amazing of how many people and children have Vitiligo now, as well as being known in society.  We do get the stares and when we do I always" ask why they are staring and then I explain what Hannah has.. Ok yes I embarrass them..  I tend to know get more protective in the sense that I talk to her friends and family more before Hannah hangs out for the first time especially in the summer when it is noticeable .  Hannah is beautiful inside and out she has Never let this beat her and keep her from doing the things in life that she loves to do, I think if anything it has made her stronger and more out going and bubbly, she don't care..  I think about all the other situations in the world that is far more worse than what Vitiligo is and how parents have to cope and it becomes easier to embrace considering Hannah wont die from this, Hannah's life style wont be affected by this and she can live a normal life without any limitations.  Someday there will be a cure, someday Hannah will be able to share her story with others and help other kids and teens cope.  We are the light, its us that can make that difference in this world.  Hang in there and shine, show people that we will beat this and educate them ..  I am hoping to start a Vitiligo Support group here in CT in the next months to come.  My goal is to bring awareness to CT and hope to get a convention on the East Coast down the line..  We are all in this together and there is a plan and a purpose for everything..