PRESHIELA PILLAY | MY VITILIGO CAMPAIGN
Photography by Marlene Photography & Baveesha Photography
Story by Baveesha Naran
Story by Baveesha Naran
Last year October when LOVEauthentic was still just an idea.
I went to Durban to meet up with the beautiful Aunt Preshiela. Preshiela Pillay
is so empowering, such a beautiful, confident, warm and loving woman. It was
such a delightful experience as she and her family were so warm and loving. For
a perfect stranger(myself), they prepared the heartiest meal ever. I enjoyed
every minute of that amazing spread. Oh how I love it when
Durban mums cook. They’re all so brilliant. I could not believe how amazing these
people were. We sat and chatted, she told me all about her journey, what it was
like growing up with vitiligo, she shared stories from the past, some were
hilarious and others were so intense. She also advised me on what products to
use for my skin and how to care for my skin in the heat. She tried and tested
many products, but Vichy worked best for her.
Preshiela Pillay also had Vitiligo her entire life. Before
she got married her vitiligo was also patchy and she used to hide it. But when
it started appearing on your face and hands, there was nothing more she could
do. She could not start covering her hands and blocking her face, she had to be
exposed. She told a funny story of how in the Apartheid era, her husband would
always be questioned and interrogated by police as they mistook her for a white
woman. She also talked about how if she put on her white accent, people would
not know any different. It was so cute to hear these stories.
I asked her what advice she would give to people out there:
They should not be ashamed of their Vitiligo because they didn’t put it onto themselves. It’s God’s creation. It doesn’t harm anybody else. People should not feel embarrassed because of it. It is not contagious and it’s not a disease. It’s just a skin condition. This is who we are and we should not feel embarrassed about living with Vitiligo.
Her final advice was that you should always walk with your head up high. Don’t let anyone put you down, hurt you and make you cry. If you’re struggling at any point tell yourself, that you will be ok one day, and you’ll see you will be. Just be strong, you are not alone.
When asked who has been her biggest strength, she advised that she herself was her biggest strength; her strong character and happy personality always helped her stay positive.
Thank you Aunt Preshiela for meeting with me, you’re so so amazing. Love you loads, you’re a true inspiration. Thanks for joining our campaign. We totally appreciate it. LOVEauthentic LOVES you.
I asked her what advice she would give to people out there:
They should not be ashamed of their Vitiligo because they didn’t put it onto themselves. It’s God’s creation. It doesn’t harm anybody else. People should not feel embarrassed because of it. It is not contagious and it’s not a disease. It’s just a skin condition. This is who we are and we should not feel embarrassed about living with Vitiligo.
Her final advice was that you should always walk with your head up high. Don’t let anyone put you down, hurt you and make you cry. If you’re struggling at any point tell yourself, that you will be ok one day, and you’ll see you will be. Just be strong, you are not alone.
When asked who has been her biggest strength, she advised that she herself was her biggest strength; her strong character and happy personality always helped her stay positive.
Thank you Aunt Preshiela for meeting with me, you’re so so amazing. Love you loads, you’re a true inspiration. Thanks for joining our campaign. We totally appreciate it. LOVEauthentic LOVES you.
