Sally Chifwaila-Phiri is a lawyer from Zambia who has been living with psoriasis since the age of 14, a journey that has shaped her resilience, self-acceptance, and sense of purpose. Now 33 years old, she reflects on the many challenges she faced growing up with a condition that was often misunderstood. One of her earliest and most painful memories came when a school nurse suggested that the patches on her skin might be related to HIV, leaving her frightened and confused before she was eventually correctly diagnosed with psoriasis. Over the years, Sally endured difficult treatments, emotional struggles, and the sting of insensitive comments from others who misunderstood her condition. Questions and assumptions about her skin often left her feeling isolated, but with time, she learned to better understand psoriasis, care for herself, and reclaim confidence in who she is.
Today, Sally embraces her “dotted skin” with pride and gratitude, seeing her journey not as a burden but as a source of strength and growth. She believes her experience has given her a deeper purpose: to spread awareness, encourage others, and help people living with psoriasis feel seen and understood. Grounded in faith and self-acceptance, she carries her condition with grace and hopes to inspire others to move beyond shame and embrace themselves fully. Through the Ambassador program, Sally is committed to using her voice to challenge misconceptions about psoriasis, promote understanding, and remind others that they are more than their diagnosis. As both a legal professional and advocate, she is passionate about empowering others through compassion, education, and representation.
Sally Chifwaila-Phiri
Age: 33
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Types of psoriatic disease: Plaque psoriasis, Gutate psoriasis
Languages: English
