I have a hidden illness
(that affects 170M people 🌎)
And I bet you’ve never heard of it…
But you might have seen it 👀
I was about 14 years old when I first noticed these patches appearing on my skin. At first, they were on my elbows and I thought maybe they were scars. White patches that were much lighter than my natural skin tone.
Then I noticed them around my eyes. Kids at a school called me panda eyes 🐼
And would make fun of the patches. I didn’t know what it was and eventually, after some research found out it was Vitiligo.
Googling Vitiligo was shocking to me because there is no cure. I like solving problems and discovering there was no cure was hard to wrap my head around. I hid in the shade on holidays and tried to make sure I didn’t tan so it didn’t show up.
Eventually, I decided to embrace it and not try to hide it anymore.
Seeing model Winnie Harlow who has Vitiligo was actually a HUGE moment for me to come to peace with the condition. That showed me I wasn’t abnormal or ugly at all.
Shankar Jalota is a vitiligo advocate from London. He first got diagnosed with vitiligo at the age of fifteen. It took more than six years for him to embrace his condition after battling with low confidence and self-esteem.
Shankar, now twenty-eight, has spent the last seven years spreading awareness and being an advocate for vitiligo. Teaming up with the charity Changing Faces, Shankar has been featured on BBC News, as well as in The Daily Telegraph, HuffPost and more news related outlets.
Shankar has also spent time modelling for diversity campaigns, with highlights such as being featured on the cover of the Boots Spring ’22 Health & Beauty magazine recognised as an influencer who is breaking beauty boundaries. Shankar has also spoken at vitiligo events with the charity Vitiligo Society, sharing his story and advice to those struggling with the condition.
Shankar now wants to help spread awareness about vitiligo and other visible differences to a new generation. Shankar believes educating children at a young age can help raise awareness, inclusivity and acceptance of people’s differences.
The Vitiligo Man has written an amazing book for children who have this condition but really it’s for anyone who feels “different”.
With his book Shankar aims to:
1️⃣ Support children who have a skin condition (whether it is vitiligo or another condition) .
2️⃣ Educate all children about vitiligo.
3️⃣Educate children about diversity and inclusion.
4️⃣Visually represent mental health for children.
5️⃣Empower children to feel their best selves and importantly celebrate their differences and who they are no matter what they look like.
Opening Doors With Books
Shankar’s journey illustrates how a book is the skeleton key to a whole new journey.
It can unlock:
– press and media opportunities
– new career opportunities
– speaking opportunities to share your story
– raise awareness for causes close to your heart
If you’re ready to change your life and unlock new opportunities get in touch to discuss your book.
