US-based Chantelle Brown-Young aka Winnie Harlow lives positively with this condition despite the difficulties she faced as a child when the onset of the skin disorder first became clear.
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Photo: Winnie Harlow’s Instagram
She has used what would probably crush many people to learn to love herself and live her life to the fullest. While doing so, she’s amassed a huge following on Instagram
Chantelle also appeared on the hit reality TV series America’s Next Top Model, hosted by veteran model Tyra Banks.
Photo: America's Next Top Model website
Photo: America’s Next Top Model website
She was three or four years-old when her skin started changing pigmentation. She admits that growing up was tough as she was bullied and called names like ‘Zebra’.
Photo: Winnie Harlow's Instagram
Photo: Winnie Harlow’s Instagram
Check out this interview with her on Those Girls Are Wild:
Vitiligo is a rare autoimmune condition affecting the skin cells leading to discolouration. In some extreme cases, the disease does lead to a degree of photosensitivity in the eyes and the skin.
It is a physically painless disease but the emotional pain incurred from social stigma, superstition and misinformation can be huge.
Scientists lack adequate information about the human body’s immune system which makes vitiligo difficult to deal with. It has no cure and can only  be managed.