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Lisa T

@clearskies007

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Sister, daughter, friend.. Local representative of a vitiligo advocacy/support group; loves Jesus, cats, movies, a variety of music, comedy, travel..

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My cat celebrated her 10th birthday this past August. And I've been her cat mom for 9 years.

The truth is, my cat Olay, was found on the street when she was 1 years old. She was a very young mom at that time with two kittens, who were barely clinging to life. A stranger who had compassion, scooped up Olay and her two younglings and took them to the local ASPCA. About 5 months later, I became Olay's mom, while the ASPCA volunteer had told me that one of her kittens had died and the other one was well enough to be adopted. I only needed one cat, so I took Olay home.

She is mainly an indoor cat and during the warm seasons, I do allow her to go outside with me on the apartment patio. I have a leash and harness so she won't run away from me. I try to be very careful with her outside because I live in a suburban area and right behind my apartment, is a wooded area where there's plenty of deer, raccoon and other animals that would not be good for the cat to be entangled with.

When I heard this audio, I had to immediately make a video! #petsofinstagram #cats#catsofinstagram #streetlife #feline by @clearskies007

This is why education is important. I was having a conversation with a friend of mine lately and she thought the skin disease, vitiligo, was connected to albinism. So I had to remind her that they are quite DIFFERENT.

According to WebMD, albinism and vitiligo are both conditions that affect skin color, but albinism is a GENETIC disorder present from birth affecting the WHOLE body, while vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune condition causing patchy loss of pigment later in life. In some cases, it affects the skin from birth.

Key Differences:

Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes (the cells that make pigment). It causes irregular white patches to appear on the skin later in life. It does not affect the entire body uniformly and rarely impacts hair or eye color.

Albinism: Present from birth as a lifelong genetic condition.

Vitiligo: Develops later in life, often during childhood or early adulthood.

Albinism: Uniformly pale or white skin, hair, and eyes across the entire body.

Vitiligo: Patchy, asymmetrical white spots or areas on the skin, often contrasting with normal skin tones. This results in progressive, irregular white patches on the skin and sometimes hair or mucous membranes. Vitiligo typically develops later in life and can be influenced by genetic predisposition, oxidative stress, or environmental triggers.

Albinism: A genetic mutation that stops or reduces the production of melanin (the pigment giving color to skin, hair, and eyes).

Vitiligo: An autoimmune response where the immune system destroys melanocytes (the cells that make pigment).

Albinism: Often causes significant vision problems and extreme light sensitivity due to lack of pigment and reduced sharpness.

Vitiligo: Does not cause vision problems.

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For more details, you can review the guide on Albinism vs Vitiligo from Revival Research or read the overview on Albinism vs. Vitiligo Differences

Check out myvitiligoteam.com
Advancestudy.org
Web.md
Thisisvitiligo.com
Vitfriends.org

#vitiligo#vitiligans #vitiligorocks #vitiligoawareness
#autoimmune by @clearskies007

As Bible believing Christians, the word of God continues to give us reminders of the freedom we have in Christ. Here's some scriptures that help back up my statement:
"It is for freedom that Christ has, set us free. Stand firm, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery"... Galatians 5:1

"Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom".... 2 Corinthians 3:17

"Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of and death"... Romans 8:1 and 2

"If you hold on to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."... John 8: 31 and 32

#christianmusic #christianliving #joyful #familytimes #vitiligo by @clearskies007

As summer winds down, I'm here to remind anyone who is struggling with self-doubt, and poor self-esteem, that you can do anything you put your mind to.

I took some time to enjoy an afternoon at the beach and I could care less about what other people may have thought about me.. my vitiligo spots, weight.. varicose veins.. for me there's nothing like water therapy. I happen to live in one of the greatest parts of New York State: Western New York-- where we are blessed with Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. After a busy day or a busy week or a series of busy weeks, I'd like to take a walk along the water where there is plenty of places to do that here.

At one point in my vitiligo journey, you wouldn't catch me in a bathing suit. You wouldn't catch me in shorts or short sleeves. You wouldn't catch me with sandals on. I had my hands in my pockets at all times, hiding the vitiligo spots on my hands. I wore long sleeve pants or capris to cover my white knees. The more of it I would show up in my body the more I wanted to hide behind clothes. But as I gradually started to embrace my skin, the need to cover up faded away..

So I'm here as a witness, to anyone who is struggling with self-esteem with vitiligo spots or anything else that makes you feel "less than". You CAN overcome the fear, doubt and insecurity. It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow.. but one day, you will wake up and you'll realize there is still life to be lived-- let's go for it! Be bold, be brave because just like me, you can be the inspiration for someone else who was struggling. Our stories matter and we are all here for each other. #vitiligo #vitiligoawareness #skinconfidence #autoimmunedisease #vitiligoisbeautiful by @clearskies007

This October marks 30 years since my vitiligo diagnosis and to tell you the truth, it doesn't seem like that long ago..but it was. I was 25 years old and completely mortified. I didn't know how bad the white spots it could get or how it would spread. The doctor's words, "there is no cure", echoed and echoed in my brain.

It took a good 15 years before I began to get comfortable in my skin; and with each new spot, insecurity set in, once again. I had to re-adjust to my "new normal". Life with vitiligo. Life with two-tone skin. Life with constant questions from the public why I looked a certain way. Life of being constantly stared at, a life of scrutiny, a life of bullying, a life of unfairness because of my skin's appearance.

Fast forward to 2008: this was the year that I began to see my vitiligo diagnosis as something I could not really change, but something I had to deal with and make up my mind that this medical condition was NOT going to defeat me. This was the year I made up my mind that I was going to truly live, regardless of what people thought about my skin. The days of hiding behind clothes were finally over.

It's 2026 now and I remain stronger than ever. Whenever I see a new spot approaching, I don't panic. I know the beautiful creature that God made me and besides that, we were not all meant to look the same anyway.. so I live my life without fear. It took a while to get to this place and I respect everyone else's vitiligo journey. Life with vitiligo is not all "peaches and roses", neither does it have to be totally depressing either. It is indeed all what you make it.

So if you see my post and you're one of the millions of people living with vitiligo, I say this: Keep going! Don't let anybody or anything stand in your way of living your best life. Your own mind can stop you.. rise above the negativity. Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone is facing a battle that we don't know about. Take one day at a time and give yourself grace to grow.
#vitiligo#vitiligoawareness#vitiligolife #vitiligogirl #newyorker by @clearskies007

On a sunny, Sunday afternoon, I took advantage of the warmer weather at Front Park on Buffalo's West Side.. A place I have many childhood memories. (This is just minutes away from the Peace Bridge).

In the early days of my vitiligo diagnosis, the fall of 1996- winter of 2000, I was absolutely mortified of the thought of someone taking my picture. I had vitiligo spots on my hands, arms, elbows and knees. As the years went by, the vitiligo spots expanded to other places of my body.

By the time I reached the age of 40 which was in 2011, I decided that vitiligo was not going to totally defeat me. It was not going to take over every aspect of my life. I decided not to try to cover up every spot with makeup or long sleeves and long pants. It was time that I regained my confidence. Confidence was one thing that I had struggled with my entire life since childhood. I didn't have vitiligo until I was 25 years old. Before that however, I was that skinny kid that other children teased. I also wore thick glasses and I had buck teeth. (until I started wearing braces at age 14). So I was definitely a "sight to behold" as a youngster. I didn't like looking at myself in the mirror but I continued to believe that God loves me, He created me and He doesn't make mistakes. When an individual has to endure living with any kind of visible skin irritation/ issue, it definitely does wear down on one's confidence. And since vitiligo is so unpredictable, the mental stress event can be unbearable at times... That's why it's so necessary to have support and to have people in your corner that uplift you. But if you don't have those kind of individuals in your life, you have to be the one to uplift yourself and that is often times very difficult to do but it is absolutely necessary.

I am happy to report, that now the age of 55 and nearly living with vitiligo for almost 30 years, I can say I have mainly "made peace" with my skin. This journey was not always easy.. but by the grace of God I am doing much better than I was 25 years ago. I'm grateful for the people in my life always spoke blessings over me.

#buffalony #vitiligo #vitiligorocks #vitiligoawareness #summervıbes by @clearskies007

I grew up in the City of Buffalo throughout that 70s and '80s and I left in August 1990. I moved back to this area in 2011 and I am so thankful to see more and more color in the city of Buffalo. I've always been a fan of art and appreciate all the local artists who make life a little bit more interesting when you're driving down the street. I appreciate every artist who takes the time to beautify the city and they inspire others to keep art alive!

*If anyone knows the artist whose mural is on the building on the corner of Niagara Street and Jersey, please let me know, cuz I could not make out the name that is on the mural and I would love to give them credit. Thank you #buffalony #art #vitiligo #newyork #murals by @clearskies007

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin hair and eyes. It is an autoimmune system response, which results in the melanin of one's skin to retract instead of producing the color.. resulting in white "patches". There is no cure for Vitiligo but there are treatment options. Based on your location, those treatment options may or may not be available to the patient who has vitiligo. I am currently taking a JAK- inhibitor treatment cream, but it works slowly in certain areas.

As a vitiligo advocate, it is my ultimate responsibility to spread public awareness and help with public perception. I have endured living with vitiligo for almost 30 years and most days I'm fine. But there are some days few and far between, where the stress gets to me. Where I find a new vitiligo spot, showing up the back of my neck, on my forearm, on my knees ankles etc.

I love sharing my story for those who are willing to listen. And it's important that those of us who live with Vitiligo everyday continue to tell other people about it.. in order for public perception to change about vitiligo, those living with the skin condition must speak up!! Nothing will change if we remain silent. Vitiligo will do one or two things: it'll either turn your turn into a recluse or it'll force you to have conversations about it. Choose wisely. And thank you for listening to my 5 minute video!!

#vitiligorocks #vitiligo #vitiligoawareness #vitiligoisbeautiful #vitiligogirl by @clearskies007

Scene from the #michaelmovie
Thank you, @rong.gur for this audio!
#acting #drama #michaelmovie #vitiligogirl by @clearskies007

Artwork brings me joy. Splashes of color makes me hopeful. I hate boring. I don't always like black and white.. so when I was driving home from leaving church on Sunday, this beautiful mural at D'Youville College, caught my eye. I had to stop. Something in my soul compelled me to stop to simply appreciate this wall! Art appreciation is a big part of who I am and just knowing that we are all created by an all -knowing God, who calls us His masterpieces-- well, that's enough for me to put a smile on my face!

I want to showcase some of these Buffalo artists because their work needs to be seen and appreciated!#buffalony #buffalove #artphotography #muralart #vitiligo by @clearskies007

I'm a little late posting but I wanted to wish all of my Vitiligo sisters and brothers around the globe a happy World 🌍 Vitiligo day! Always remember: that you have value! You are loved and you are needed in a world that is filled with doubters and people who want to tear you down. Rise up! Prove them wrong! Prove to yourself that you are strong. You are educated! You are worthy! You are beautiful! Because if you don't lift yourself up in the mirror every day and see God's beautiful image, staring back at you, don't expect other people to look at you that way. Always have hope and carry love in your heart everywhere you go...#vitiligo#vitiligans #vitiligoawareness #vitiligorocks #vitiligoisbeautiful by @clearskies007

As I was taking some photos of the beautiful sunset on Saturday June 13, 2026, a couple of boats sailed past and I couldn't fight the urge to capture the moment on video. I absolutely love where I live in Western New York..#sunsetphotography #sunsetlovers #newyork #summervıbes #niagararegion by @clearskies007