How My Skin Condition Helped Me Grow Into the Person I Am Today

It impacts my daily life and can cause painful, swollen nodules on my skin.

I was 18 years old when I first started presenting symptoms of a mysterious skin condition.

Two years later, I was officially diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

One of the first lessons I learned while dealing with this disease is how to be patient.

My skin condition has taught me so many valuable life lessons.

HS has also helped me to remain strong in the face of adversity.

So many people ask me, How do you do it?

The simple answer is: I dont have a choice.

HS has helped me grow into a person who can handle just about anything.

I am stronger because of my skin condition, physically and mentally.

Additionally, I am braver.

You have to have the courage to try different treatments when youre battling an illness that has no cure.

Ive experimented with diets and all sorts of different approaches to wound care.

If you want to figure out what works best, you have to keep trying new things.

Thanks to HS, I am also a far more caring and compassionate individual.

Before I was diagnosed, I was not nearly as empathetic towards others as I am today.

Now, I see people struggling all around me, and I feel their pain.

I also fully appreciate that a person who looks healthy for the most part might not necessarily be okay.

I am kinder towards strangers and loved ones alike.

Most of the advice I was given early on was downright incorrect.