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Was going to write something about how you know I've had psoriasis for years etc..etc..but instead I thought I'd include a bit from an article I wrote a few of years ago for the first Walk for Skin. If you've sponsored us for our previous walks no doubt you've read it before but I think it is still as relevant today as it was last time!

Psoriasis is quite often referred to as only a cosmetic condition; patients are given many different treatments for their skin with little or no attention paid to the mental effects that psoriasis brings. Imagine not being allowed to go in the swimming pool..."in case you are contagious" or being sacked from your job because "the customers don’t want to look at you", being spat at and ridiculed in the street (not just the schoolyard, it happens to adults too).
Psoriasis often comes hand in hand with Psoriatic Arthritis too...this can be completely debilitating… and even in its mildest form has an effect on the physical capabilities of the sufferer...

So I'd like you to put yourself in the shoes of a psoriasis sufferer for a moment please...
You are lonely as years of abuse from strangers and people who should know better have given you the self confidence of a slug...you do no exercise as it hurts to take part in most things and the local swimming pool has banned you...this brings your self esteem down even more...you have a job but you have decided to work from home because then you don’t get the funny looks from customers and the cleaner...who in your last job used to tut every time she got to your desk...

Doesn’t sound fun does it…neither does it sound like the effects of ‘just’ a cosmetic condition. Admittedly this is not the case for ‘every’ sufferer; I’m sure everybody knows someone with psoriasis…even if you don’t know it. Many only have a mild affliction on elbows or knees.

But it is for these people with a loss of quality of life I am walking and not for myself - It is obvious to all who know me, I am lucky to have a fantastic family & friends support group (many of whom are walking too) who will not let it get me down; Not everyone is so lucky; so a significant improvement in treatment would be a lifeline.

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Many thanks for your support.

Tracy x