During the months that followed, I would take my stress to the pubs with ‘friends’. Interestingly, only one or two of my friends had the guts to ask me of my condition. I surely don’t blame them. Like myself, I believe they had their own sorrows they had to drown. From my experience, I feel people should not fear asking about it. If your friend has vitiligo ask them about it. Ask how they feel. Be concerned. It makes you more genuine. I feel more comfortable if someone asks me. More often than not if you don’t ask, I still tell you about it.
I now understand why Jesus said we must ‘Be like children’. In my life with Vitiligo, kids have really left a mark in my life. I remember one time while on a CSR at a Children’s home, one of the disabled kids innocently asked me; ‘Who helps you put on your clothes?’. He was so sorry for me that I almost cried. Another found me in the packing lot, asked me what happened to me. I explained it is just a skin condition that appears like a burn. The kid was genuinely sorry. He told me I will be fine :). I believed him. These are just a few. Some have even asked to touch my skin just to see how it feels. I love kids! For those with friends or relatives with vitiligo, make a point to know how they are doing. You will make them be more at ease around you.
So my drinking continued for a while until I almost died after my drink was spiked while on duty outside the country. Thanks to God, Safe for a colleague we had travelled with, I believe I wouldn’t be here right now. She was God sent. This was my ‘Damascus’ moment. It occurred to me, that despite what you may be going through, there are so many people out there who care about you and would go out of their way to ensure that you are fine. That was the last bottle of alcohol I ever took again….
White add-on Black 