As a mother, there are moments when you feel powerless in the face of your child’s pain. For me, that moment came when my daughter, Mia, began facing bullying because of her psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches.
Despite our efforts to educate her classmates and the school about psoriasis, the teasing continues. Names like "lizard" and "contagious" echo in her ears every day. It breaks my heart to see her confidence fade as she withdraws from activities she once loved, avoiding certain clothes and even hesitating to speak in class.
I’ve tried to reassure Mia that her worth isn’t defined by her skin, but it’s hard to hold onto that when the world around her seems so cruel. I know we can do better as a society. We need more understanding, compassion, and kindness toward children living with chronic conditions.
Schools, communities, and families must teach our children that differences don’t make anyone less valuable. No child should ever feel less than because of something they can’t control.
Submitted on 18 March 2024, by a 39 year old female living in England
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