Andrew Mitchell, 30, born South Africa, resides United Kingdom

Andrew was first diagnosed with psoriasis when he was 10 years old. In the past he struggled to accept his condition, but Andrew has now learned to live with it. “

"I decided to be part of Psoriasis: The Naked Truth, because I wanted to help educate people about how you can live with psoriasis and how it can be a positive influence on your lifestyle and wellbeing. While I wish I could be rid of my psoriasis completely, I know it is part of what has shaped me to be the person I am today."

Josef Pohunek, 52, Czech Republic

Josef has had moderate psoriasis since 1973 and is the president of the Psoriatic and Atopic Eczema Association Czech Republic (SPAE CZ). The group organises awareness activities in the Czech Republic. “

"There is a need to show and explain to people that psoriasis is not contagious – it is not transferable. There is a need to improve the quality of life of psoriasis sufferers."

Hilary Finck, 52, South Africa

Hilary was horrified and embarrassed when she was diagnosed in 1991. After experiencing periods when her psoriasis went into remission and reappeared, Hilary ultimately accepted living with the disease. While she finds it is frustrating that her psoriasis seems to be unresponsive to treatment, she does not let the disease stop her.

"Even with the embarrassment, I never felt the need to cover up – I wear mini-skirts, bikinis and sandals. I won't allow it to change the way I live my life.”

Maria Javiera Errázuriz, 26, Chile

Diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 13, Maria feels embarrassed by her skin and constantly worries about hiding or camouflaging it. Knowing that her psoriasis may never be cured makes Maria feel helpless. Despite this, she wants to show that people with psoriasis can have a good quality of life despite the disease. “

"I wanted to be part of Psoriasis: The Naked Truth to show off my body just as it, without any shame and to show that even with psoriasis we can be beautiful.”

Johan Silvy, 35, France

Johan first developed psoriasis at the age of 18. He found that living with psoriasis was “all encompassing”. He hopes that by sharing his experiences he will be able to help raise awareness of the disease.  “

"I decided to take part in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth to show that it can affect any of us, you and me, your friends or family. Through pictures and videos we can send a more powerful message than with words."

Dalila Sid-Mohand, 31, France

Dalila first developed psoriasis on her scalp at the age of 12, shortly after it spread over her entire body. Faced with constant questions about her skin, Dalila would lie and say she had eczema or had been sunburnt to allay people’s discomfort. Eventually she felt that she could not show her skin and started wearing long-sleeve tops and trousers all year round, and even gave up dancing for fear of exposing her skin during performances. Now, thanks to treatment, she enjoys a good quality of life and is an active patient advocate.

"I want to say to the public: be understanding with us as sufferers, and just let us live a normal life without judging us harshly or unjustly because we have a visible disease."

Hege Thommesen Murer, 30, Norway

Hege has had psoriasis for almost all of her life. As she was diagnosed at such a young age, she feels that psoriasis is very much part of who she is.

"If I didn't have psoriasis my life would be different: a lot of my friends wouldn't be my friends and my history would be different. Sometimes I feel like covering up and hiding, but most of the time I am comfortable with my disease – it’s part of who I am."

Maria Grazia Rampino, 31, Italy

After being diagnosed with psoriasis during childhood, Maria wanted to become involved in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth to help increase knowledge of the disease among people with and without psoriasis. She wants to show that there is no need to be afraid of the disease and that it is possible to live life despite the disease. “

"It is possible to have a good relationship with psoriasis... I call her “La mia amica per la pelle” [My skin friend]."

Stefano Baldasarre, 43, Italy

Stefano found the diagnosis of psoriasis at the age of 25 devastating. The disease completely changed the way he lived his life. The disease affected me psychologically. For 15 years I was always covered up. Now thanks to treatment, Stefano feels comfortable enough to bare his skin.

"I wanted to be part of Psoriasis: The Naked Truth to make people understand that people with psoriasis suffer not only physically but psychologically too. Being here together with other people still suffering from psoriasis has been an emotional journey for me, as I relived the experience of suffering."

Birgitte Snedker-Sorensen, 36, Denmark

Birgitte was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of eight and developed psoriatic arthritis at the age of 12. She believes that there needs to be more information available about psoriasis and that it’s important for people to undergo treatment to ensure the best quality of life as possible.

"I want others to know that having psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is not the end of the world. I want to make sure that psoriasis patients get the right treatment, and I feel that I can help by telling my story."

Roberte Aubert, 65, France

Roberte has palmar-plantar psoriasis which affects the hands and feet. Roberte's condition makes it difficult for her to walk, which is frustrating and distressing. After finding information and receiving help from the APLCP the Association Pour La Lutte Contre le Psoriasis (The Association Against Psoriasis) and a good dermatologist, Roberte learnt how to manage her condition and has regained a certain quality of life.

"Getting the right treatment is essential, but understanding the condition and being in contact and sharing experiences with others is also important."

Ludovic Mercier, 28, France

Ludovic has had psoriasis for 21 years and works in the cosmetics and beauty industry. As physical appearance is of upmost importance for his job, he hides his psoriasis with clothes and make-up. He hopes that by being involved in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth he will challenge the assumptions that people make about psoriasis.

"I work in an industry where aesthetics are paramount. I wanted to participate to show people what psoriasis is and that it's not a disgusting illness and that it's not contagious."

Maria Eleonore Lourenco Damasceno, 59, France

Maria has had psoriasis for over 25 years. Until recently when she started a new treatment, Maria thought of her condition as a prison that dictated what she wore and what she did. Now she has regained her zest for life.

"I want to let people know that even if psoriasis can't yet be cured, there is hope. That there are new treatments that will help people to love themselves and to feel better in all areas of their lives."

María Dolores Pascual, 56, Spain

Maria developed psoriasis in 1993, and initially found the disease difficult to cope with. As she gathered information from patient associations and fellow sufferers, she has found it easier to cope with the condition. She hopes her participation in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth will encourage other psoriasis sufferers not to give up hope. “

"Even if your skin seems clear, you know that the disease is still inside you. I want to give hope to people who are still suffering."

Astrid Sibbes, 51, The Netherlands

Astrid was initially misdiagnosed with eczema at the age of seven and received a correct diagnosis five years later after a chance meeting with a different dermatologist. At the age of 25, Astrid also developed psoriatic arthritis, a debilitating condition that affects 30-40% of all people with psoriasis.¹ For years her life was dictated by her conditions, but now Astrid has been fortunate enough to receive treatment that has allowed her to do more of the things she loves.  

"Patients have to know that life can be lovely in spite of psoriasis. That story has to be told, because having a skin disease is difficult in a world where everyone has to be young and beautiful."

^{1. Gottlieb, A. Psoriasis: Emerging Therapeutic Therapies, Nat Rev. 2005; 4:19-34}

 
Javier Garrido, 39, Spain

Javier first learned he had psoriasis at the age of 18, during military service. Over the years he has tried a number of treatments and is currently on biologic therapy. “Treatment has meant a crucial improvement in my quality of life, not only in the physical aspect, but also emotionally and psychologically. Seeing myself free of patches has been crucial for myself as an individual.

"Of taking part in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth he says: “My main objective is to inform and educate people about psoriasis, whether they are sufferers or not. It is essential to inform people of what living with the disease really means."

Roman Poznan, 40, Poland

Roman has lived with psoriasis for 26 years and is committed to raising awareness of psoriasis in Poland and beyond. 

"I hope that Psoriasis: The Naked Truth will raise awareness among people worldwide as well as in Poland, where sadly, people with the disease hide at home. Here, we are showing ourselves as healthy people – we work, we have families, we have dreams, we are not inferior to others."

Chebet Karago, 50, Kenya

Chebet's journey to a correct psoriasis diagnosis was a long one that left her traumatised. Fortunately, since Chebet’s diagnosis and subsequent treatment, she feels that she is able to live a normal life despite her condition.

"I took part in Psoriasis: The Naked Truth so that the general public and healthcare professionals will have a better understanding of what psoriasis is, and how people living with psoriasis manage their situations."

Antoinette Romeo, 56, Belgium

Antoinette was diagnosed with psoriasis at 17. She had never heard of the disease, and she wasn't prepared for the distressing affects it would have on her quality of life. Due to improvement in treatment options, Antoinette gained control over her condition. Psoriasis does not rule her life anymore - she does.

"I think that I am stronger now than ever before; I want to share my own experience with people who suffer from psoriasis. In the past, my psoriasis decided how I lived my life. Today, I sing, I dance, I love meeting new people. Now I decide how I want to live."