One thing I learned and relearned every single day was that my illness does not define me. Every morning I used to wake up and wished my skin was clear and that I was healed somehow that did not happen. Every morning I taught myself over and over my condition is that me. It is a part of me but not me entirely. Your family and friends start to ask how you are, but they really are asking about your illness not your actual state, that happens people begin to see your skin and forget about you. I want to tell you that you are valid. You are still there and your shining more than ever. I used to cover myself up because I felt horrible but now looking back I wished I told myself I’m perfect just the way I was and to forget anyone who thought differently. So please stop beating yourself over something you can’t control, I hope, and I pray that someday you will be healed but also love yourself entirely. I want you to see how strong you are because let’s be honest the battle that you re fighting is not easy. So, each day even if you need to teach yourself that you are a person and not an illness do it, keep fighting don’t give up. When you’re in pain know that you are more than the pain your feeling. Even if you did nothing all day because you could not move you are still you! Hold on to that, because once you lose you and let the illness takeover the fight is going to be tough but even if that happens you will still prevail.