Personal experience inspires local advocate to raise awareness about the misunderstood autoimmune condition
A Kingston medical student is using his personal journey with vitiligo to help educate the community and reduce stigma surrounding the chronic autoimmune condition.
Shahnawaz Towheed has lived with vitiligo for most of his life. The condition causes patches of skin to lose their colour, but Towheed says its effects often go far beyond appearance. He explains more.
His experiences with misconceptions, unwanted attention and social stigma have inspired him to speak openly about living with visible skin differences.
As he works toward a career in medicine, Towheed hopes to increase public awareness and encourage more understanding of people living with chronic skin diseases.
He believes vitiligo should not be seen as simply a cosmetic condition. Instead, he wants people to recognize the emotional and social challenges many individuals face every day.
Through advocacy and education, Towheed aims to build greater empathy, improve visibility for people with vitiligo and help create a more supportive and inclusive community for everyone.
Story by Alyssa Brush
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