Ode To Psoriasis

By Vickie Wilkerson

1 min read

Patient leader, Vickie Wilkerson was 33 years old when psoriasis presented itself. Now 16 years later she still lives and manages active plaque psoriasis. As she likes to say "psoriasis is just the gift that keeps on giving" meaning six years ago it developed into psoriatic arthritis as well.

She decided to share how she feels about this chronic condition in the way of a poem...

One psoriasis poem...

How I loathe thee let me count the ways.
It would make this poem too long to say all I want to say.
I hate the look, the feel, and all the nasty things you do to my skin.
You try hard to make me gross in all thy ways I will not pen.
I have to live with you but I promise I will not give in.

How I like you- what- as if that is even possible?
It is because you gave my life purpose without meaning to.
How could that be?
You actually brought a fighting side out in me.
A voice of advocacy I never thought could be.
You brought into my life a psoriasis family.

While I both like you and hate you for various reasons.
I wish I could charge you with treason.
Then you would be out of my life,
What a glorious day to cheer,
With all of my peers.

One day there will be a cure.
I am certain of that for sure.
No cure is what we deal with now.
To live that way we will not take a bow.
May this find a mark with each of you
As I bid this ode adieu.

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CommunityMember143 Member
I also had a horrible experience with a flare-up on my hands. I was a cashier at a grocery store. I, of course, dealt with cash and change often. The comments from the customers were hurtful and sometimes hateful, literally asking me why I worked a job that required me to hand people things, not even asking whether or not it was contagious. If you think the customers were bad, my own coworkers were ruthless, I was told by a coworker that I was disgusting for having this problem with my hands. This was also my first flare. I started wearing medical gloves at work and I made a Dermatologist appointment. It took months for it to clear up with the creams and eventually prednisone. I've had flares on my hands two times since. Gloves are my first choice nowadays. I will never forget how I was treated though. I'm sorry you had to go through this horrible experience as well. 
1. Jill.Brodie Community Admin
 Hi @CommunityMember143, your story is heartbreaking! The way that you were treated is inexcusable. I really wish you did not go through this. Sending you a very gentle hug. Jill, Team Member
Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
Wow, Vickie! Thanks for sharing this. As someone who didn’t have Pso until my 30s (I have AS and just thought it’s been “weird autoimmune stuff”) this really resonated. Also, I’m a poet and my heart sings when I see people turn to poetry to express this rough stuff. I’m sorry Pso has been so hard on you. Sending support. 
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Lisa Marie Basile" user-id="4558825"/> thank you for the kind words. I don't really confess to being a poet but my son inspires me as he uses poetry to express his mental issues. The poetry was something we could connect on. Would love to see your poetry sometime if you would like to share through private message. Vickie W., Team Member