TV presenter Leonna Mayor speaks on vitiligo ‘in hope it’d assist others’

Presenter and rider Leonna Mayor has opened up about dwelling with vitiligo to lift consciousness of the pores and skin situation and assist help others.

Leonna, a well-recognized determine on ITV and Sky Sports activities Racing, spoke to H&H after sharing a submit on her social media channels about her personal expertise.

“So many individuals have despatched me optimistic messages,” Leonna advised H&H, including that she was ready for some negativity, however it has been “superb” to see the vastly optimistic responses.

“Social media is a giant a part of my job and life, and I’ve superb followers, they’re a great bunch of individuals.”

Leonna Mayor.

Leonna spoke to the Vitiligo Society, a charity that helps, conjures up and educates about vitiligo, earlier than posting. She mentioned she wished to share her story for herself, to lift consciousness and to assist others as she would “by no means need anybody to really feel insecure” about it.

Vitiligo is a long-term situation, the place pale white patches seem on the pores and skin. Leonna first seen a tiny patch on her pores and skin when she was 18. She knew what it was, as certainly one of her shut household additionally has the situation.

Leonna’s situation has progressed, which led to her determination to submit her message as she wished it to come back from her first, earlier than anybody may ask about seeing it in photographs or on digital camera.

She mentioned she was extremely nervous earlier than the submit went out – and could be very glad she did.

“So many occasions I’ve began to sort this submit after which deleted it as a result of I’ve by no means actually identified the place to begin and even begin,” she mentioned in her submit.

“Nonetheless I’ve reached some extent the place I’m extra comfy in my very own pores and skin and wish to share a message that I hope may assist others. Even when it’s only one one who can relate.

“Since I used to be a teen, I’ve lived with vitiligo, which as is an auto-immune situation which causes patches of my pores and skin to lose its pigment. My auntie has vitiligo, so it’s one thing I’ve grown up seeing, however in all honesty being conversant in it didn’t imply I wasn’t scared or embarrassed once I found patches alone pores and skin.”

She added: “My pores and skin modifications have quickly worsened over the past two years, and now I’ve quite a lot of patches underneath my arms, on my thighs and my face. I used to at all times cowl them up by carrying camouflage make-up and prevented photos or carrying garments that will reveal my pores and skin.

“I do know by sharing my story on social media I could obtain some unfavorable feedback, however I’m lastly studying to like my pores and skin and really feel completely satisfied being me no matter what anybody else could say or assume.

“I hope that this won’t solely be capable to assist these with a pores and skin situation, but in addition assist anybody who hasn’t bought a pores and skin situation to study and perceive how nervous and uncomfortable a visual pores and skin situation could make somebody really feel.

“All of us have our imperfections that make us who we’re. Let’s embrace them, recognize them, and at all times be sort to others.”

Leonna, a former Flat jockey who now occasions at novice stage, advised H&H that whereas she hoped sharing would assist different individuals, listening to these particular person tales has meant so much.

She’s obtained messages from these whose family members have the situation, and a number of other individuals have additionally come as much as her whereas she has been at work heading in the right direction to thank her for talking about it.

“If it helps someone, if it makes them really feel completely satisfied of their pores and skin, that makes it worthwhile 10 occasions over,” she mentioned.

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