I remember clearly the day I was diagnosed with Psoriasis. As an eight year old, I did not understand that not everyone experienced the pain and frustration I had to cope with. The scaly mess that was my scalp and ears caused pain and frustration, and I scratched them to the point that they would bleed. That day at the dermatologist, I realized I was different. I envied my sister and parents who did not have to deal with the pain and deteriorating self-image that came with Psoriasis. It felt like I was alone in the struggle. They didn’t have to constantly brush flakes off their clothes. Or answer classmates who asked why their ears were bleeding. Seeing the pieces of my scalp fall to the floor and litter the ground made me want to cry. At eight years old, I found out what chronic illness was. My skin issues would never disappear. The shame I felt was overwhelming. I feared people would look at me and think I was diseased and ugly. Finding flakes in my hair tormented me. I tried having shot treatments. I remember my excitement when my dermatologist told me that the treatment could take away my psoriasis for months. I eagerly told my mom that I wanted to try it. I remember going in for the shots with anticipation. But the shots did not work for me. The scaly skin did not go away. I remember crying and wondering why this was happening to me. Eventually I had to realize that I was not alone and was not a victim. A friend stepped into my life that also had Psoriasis. I admired how little she let it affect her self-esteem, and asked her shyly how she had overcome her embarrassment. What she said spoke to my soul. She said, “The right people won’t care about your skin.” I realized that this was true. For years I thought that no one (besides my family) would love me because of my “gross” condition. But I began to realize that that was not the case. I realized that I was blessed in other ways, and had taken many things for granted. I have an amazing family who supports me, listens to my struggles, and takes me to the dermatologist in an attempt to find solutions. I am not a victim, andI will not give up on fighting or stop looking for new ways to cope with my ailment. I am so much more than my Psoriasis. I am more than how I look. I am more than the pain and scaly skin. Even though my Psoriasis has no cure, I am grateful for my life and the strength I have found from this chronic illness. I have found that dealing with something that is “embarrassing” or painful causes great empathy. I can relate more with those who are dealing with physical ailments or chronic illnesses. I can come alongside them and encourage them that they are not less-than. Through our pain and frustration, we can find strength. If I could tell everyone with chronic illnesses something, I would tell them: You are not alone. You are not less-than because of what you come up against. I am proud of myself, and I am proud of all who fight through their struggles and grow because of them. We are brave for fighting through. I am also so grateful for this scholarship because it helped me to realize again that I am not alone.