A Journey of Psoriasis & Finding Lasting Love

I consider psoriasis to be ugly. I have had this awful disease for 17 long years. Looking at my skin has made me feel ashamed, embarrassed, and unlovable. It's taken me a long time, but I finally accept that psoriasis will always be a part of my life.

At my worst, I have been 80% covered. At my current best, right now, I'm 20% covered. There are so many treatments and at best, I've tried half of them. However, I am writing this for a more personal reason. I want to take the time to share my journey with psoriasis and how I've found love along the way.

My own psoriasis journey

My psoriasis started when I was 33. It would take years before I would find out that it was hereditary on my father’s side of the family.

I married my first husband straight out of high school. I have two wonderful sons from that marriage. Psoriasis played no part in it. I did not even have it at that time. However, sadly, drugs did play a part. Only for my then-husband who suffered from addiction.

Let’s just say what they say about rebound relationships is true. Psoriasis played no part in the actual marriage until the stress of the divorce hit. Between the divorce, my uncle passing, and other added stresses is when my psoriasis presented. Once it started, it just spread like wildfire.

Navigating life and love

There was not much time between my first and second marriages. It was now where I felt as if I needed time alone to find myself. It was important that I figured out how to navigate life while living with psoriasis. It definitely made the idea of dating seem like an impossible task.

However, I was still young enough that I knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. I began to put myself out there into the unknown. It was scary and yes, there were two failed brief relationships. Once I told them about my psoriasis, it was over. I vowed that the next person would know about psoriasis from the beginning.

My current husband and I met through a local dating phone service - long before those dating apps ever came along. However, just like you put a profile on those apps, this option had a voice profile. I stated in it that I had psoriasis and if they couldn’t deal with that, then move on. Long story short, my husband answered and we have been inseparable since.

If it can happen for me, then it can happen for you

I hope my story gives someone hope who may be out in the dating world. I want to let you know that it is possible to find that special someone. In my husband’s case, he had a friend who had psoriasis. He was familiar with the condition and not at all stigmatized.

If it can happen for me then it can happen for you. We just celebrated 12 years married. Oh and just in case you were wondering, when my psoriasis was at its worst, at 80% coverage, I was with my current husband. He has truly loved me through sickness and health.