יש עוד
EMOTIONAL TRAUMA When Michael announced he had Vitiligo, during the Oprah interview, he was close to tears. Dr. Paul Kechijian, a dermatologist at both New York University Hospital and North Shore University explained in an article published in Newsday on 2/12/93, that "Jackson´s emotional reaction is typical of those who have vitiligo." One of the most devastating parts of having vitiligo is the emotional trauma they experience. Allen Locklin, a vitiligo patient who co-founded the National Vitiligo Foundation in Tyler, Texas said the following: "More than two-thirds of patients become almost reclusive. If you walk around looking like a painted pony, you get shunned." At (www.lilroom.demon.co.uk/vitiligo.html) the following is stated: "Vitiligo can definitely shatter a life, even though it is not biologically life-endangering. It is in no way debilitating, except MENTALLY. Vitiligo, while not deadly to the body, DAMAGES THE SPIRIT. Most vitiligo patients suffer some degree of emotional trauma related to the condition. The condition can be severely HUMILIATING in a society that is inclined to associate attractiveness and good health with suntanned skin. Feelings of inadequacy, loss, frustration, and rejection are common for those afflicted with the disease. Self-consciousness and a lack of self-esteem are also typical sensitivities developed as a repercussion of vitiligo (Atkinson 2-3). Because of the change in appearance, shrinking from socializing is often an effect of the condition as well." Can you imagine how Michael must have felt being diagnosed? Michael is a entertainer in an industry where looks are so valued. Celebrities constantly have their pictures taken and their careers are based upon visibility. I believe this is why Michael became isolated and reclusive. LIFE STYLE CHANGES FOR VITILIGO PATIENTS When Michael announced during the Oprah interview that he had a skin disorder that destroys pigment, he did not say vitiligo. But his physician would later confirm the name as vitiligo. His physician also believed the catalyst was Michael getting burned in the scalp in the Pepsi commercial as triggering Michael’s vitiligo. Michael carried the gene, but it is different factors that can trigger vitiligo. In reading Emily´s story vegan-omics.com/ev/ there is a section that discusses causes and life style adjustments for those having vitiligo. Notice any buzz words? Taken from Emily´s story: ~~~~~~~~~~~ Causes What causes vitiligo? Stress or unusual TRAUMA (especially to the HEAD) can cause vitiligo. Diabetes mellitus (adult onset), abnormal thyroid function, Addison´s disease, Pernicious anemia and Alopecia areata (hair loss in patches) are each associated with vitiligo. So you want to rule out each of these diseases and minimize stress. I started asking myself questions, like what do these diseases have in common? What connections are there? Many of the answers pointed towards diet. Another possibility is that you were exposed to an industrial chemical that effected your pigment. Air CLEAN AIR is important and most of the time it is abundant in our small town by the ocean. As long as the Florida forest fires aren´t burning out of control and the local launches from the Space Center aren´t exploding and dumping their toxic fuel in huge clouds. If we lived in a more polluted area, I would have invested in a whole house, air purification system. Food Choices Our family adopted a PURE VEGETARIAN LIFESTYLE (no meat, dairy or eggs). Check out why we chose this life style. You might also be asking yourself, how did we convince our children to go along with us? Vitiligo is theorized to be an autoimmune disease. As an autoimmune disease it should respond well to a low fat vegetarian diet. Ultraviolet Light We use natural light, and we tend to wear HATS more often than we used too. When in the sun, we only stay out for about half an hour to an hour then take a break inside. There is always a fun inside activity to fill a half-hour. This is of course effected by the time of day, we really try to avoid the mid day sun. How does Emily’s Vitiligo relate to Michael? Causes: Michael´s doctor linked the burns to Michael´s scalp (HEAD) in the Pepsi commercial as the catalyst in triggering the vitiligo. Air: On the Prime Time with Diane Sawyer (June 10, 1995), Michael indicated the following "I´m very sensitive to the smog. Y´know, so I can´t have the smog." Food Choices: Michael does have a strict vegetarian diet. Sun Light: Michael does wear a hat to protect him from the sunrays and carries an umbrella to shield him from the sunrays. When asked about why he was wearing the "silk mask" on the on the VH1 interview on November 10, 1997, Michael said the following: "Because with time my skin condition has gotten worse, I hate to say it. I have VITILIGO, and I´m TOTALLY completely ALLERGIC to the sun. I´m not even supposed to be outside actually. Even if I´m in the shade the sun rays can destroy my skin." Also related to the sunrays, in the Prime Time Interview, Michael said the following: "I envy her [pointing to Lisa Marie], ´cause she can tan and I can´t."
