I’ve lived with psoriasis since I was 15. What started as flares on my scalp eventually spread to my back, ribs, elbows, and legs. No matter how hard I tried to hide it, it kept showing up in new places, and the effort to conceal it left me feeling drained and isolated. But instead of letting it fill my life with bitterness, I chose a different path. Psoriasis taught me how to live with gratitude and gave me a deeper sense of self-love. Over time, I learned to embrace my skin and feel proud of how hard it has worked to keep me alive.
My journey inspired me to become an advocate for others living with chronic conditions, especially psoriasis. While I was in university, I started a club focused on raising awareness about chronic diseases and educating others. Today, I’m committed to being part of the change—helping people in my country and around the world understand what it’s like to live with psoriasis and working to end the stigma that still surrounds it.
Samantha Wood
Age: 26
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Types of psoriatic disease: Plaque psoriasis, Inverse psoriasis, Gutate psoriasis
Languages: English
