Learning to love yourself for who you are can be extremely important, but it is often easier said than done.
Giorgia Lanuzza is one of 1.8 million people in Great Britain who suffer from a skin condition known as psoriasis. As a 24-year-old, Giorgia has struggled to deal with her psoriasis since its first appearance at the age of 13. Her case is quite severe, with itchy, flaky red patches covering nearly 97% of her body at times, much like the baby who was covered with a red rash.
The manner in which this disorder has affected her goes quite beyond mere pain and discomfort. With unsightly blotches covering her body, she has had to deal with everything from teasing schoolmates to dates that are afraid to touch her.
But now, she has decided to take a different approach. Taking control of her situation, Giorgia has chosen to put a positive spin on her skin issues, like the girl who embraced her birth marks. Not only is she putting the negative effects of her condition behind her, but she is facing the world head on by embracing her appearance and proudly showing the world just how beautiful she truly is.
Scroll through to see this woman's powerful and inspiring story about learning to love yourself and finding the strength to show your beauty to the world.
h/t: SWNS/Daily Mail
While Giorgia's condition affects millions of people, hers is certainly one of the worst cases.
Giorgia said, "People would stop and stare at me in the street. My psoriasis looks like red, raised spots and people looked at me as if I was disgusting and they might catch something. I felt so self-conscious about the condition that it was ruining my life."
Like many other skin conditions, emotional stress and trauma can be a large cause. In Giorgia's case, she developed psoriasis after her father abruptly passed away.
Giorgia said, "The condition is often triggered by trauma, and when I lost my dad I felt like my world had ended. My world went to pieces — we were so close when I was growing up, and I couldn't bear losing him."
In Giorgia's case, the trauma of her father's death caused her to develop this terrible condition.
"Grieving was difficult enough. Then, when these flaky patches started appearing on my skin, I had no idea what was happening."
Giorgia went on, "At first it was just on my arms and scalp, but gradually, it spread across my entire body — even my face and hands."
At the age of 13, Giorgia had the misfortune of having to deal with her skin condition while also dealing with the normal problems of a teenager.
"I was just a teenager and all I wanted was to be like other girls my age — wearing makeup, pretty clothes and talking about boys."
Despite her skin condition not being contagious in any way, Giorgia was still treated differently by her peers.
"Giant patches of my skin were red and unsightly — I felt like a freak compared to other girls my age and did everything to cover up."
Over the 11 years that followed, Giorgia's psoriasis went through frequent flare-ups. By nature, the condition becomes worse during times of stress or exhaustion and in heated temperatures.
"Though I was painfully self-conscious in my early teens, I was determined psoriasis wouldn't rob me of my teenage years."
Through it all, Giorgia barreled on.
She said, "I tried to think of them as reminders of my dad, as I'd got psoriasis after he died. That was a comfort, but it was still hard."
She recently attempted to start over by going on a six month trip to Thailand. However, her condition was so aggravated by the sun that she was forced to end her trip and return home. Feeling as if she had reached rock bottom, Giorgia made a brave decision.
Giorgia decided to embrace her appearance and release a series of pictures that would show the world that a person with psoriasis can be just as beautiful as anyone else.
Giorgia said, "I put together a portfolio of photos of myself in bikinis and other skimpy clothing, to show I wasn't going to hide my psoriasis anymore."
She explained, "The wounds are red and scab-covered in the photos, but I won't hide them away or edit them. I'm proud of them now – they remind me that I'm strong."
Giorgia's story has quickly been circulating the internet and inspiring others who may feel that their appearance doesn't fit the 'traditional' idea of beauty.
Giorgia wants to follow in the footsteps of people like Winnie Harlow, who is a model that took on traditional notions of beauty by posing for photos where she embraced her skin condition, vitiligo.
Giorgia hopes that her gorgeous photos will inspire other women and girls, as well as those who suffer from psoriasis.
She said, "I am finally realizing that I don't have to see my psoriasis as a curse. I know my dad would be proud of me for my attitude. Now I've come to terms with psoriasis, I want to help others do the same."
Giorgia went on, "We might have conditions that make us look different from other women, but we are still beautiful."
Giorgia certainly has been able to overcome extreme adversity in her journey to self-love and self-acceptance. But her struggles only appear to have made her stronger and more proud to be who she is.
"After all these years I finally have confidence in my own skin. I want to show other women that their 'abnormalities' could be their strengths."
Shame and the fear of being different are massive obstacles, but Giorgia has bravely conquered them, and her photos and story have became an inspiration to people around the world who seek to do the same.
Do you find Giorgia's story as inspiring as we do? Let us know in the comments.
Please SHARE if you agree that we are all unique and beautiful in our own way, and that we should be proud of who we are!
