Frankie Johnson

I am a 41 year old African American Male Married with Two Sons.
I currently serve as a Branch Director II / Public Relations Director for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (Central Ms. Residential Center). I am Member of PRAM (Public Relations Association of Ms.) I am a member of the Mississippi Multi-Cultural Competences Task force for the Ms. Department of Mental Health. Member of the Mississippi Hospital Association. I am Founder & CEO / Chairman of 'Diseases In the Rural' Project in the Ms. I have several affiliations with the Ms. Department of Health as well as The Ms. Department of Mental Health

Why am I interested in Serving on the National Vitiligo Foundation Board? First of all, I do not personally have Vilitigo. However, One of the Loves of My life, My Dear Mother, A Beautiful woman inside and OUT, suffers from this Disease. Since realizing that she has Vitiligo, it has had a profound impact on her mental, physical & emotional disposition. It has been a challenge for her to cope with the stigma associated with Vitiligo as it has now spread to her face as well as other parts of her body. She is my inspiration to help others understand, know & recognize the effect Vitiligo has on people of all ethnic and social backgrounds.

I also have another reason for serving on the National Vitiligo Board. My youngest son (21 years old) too has Vitiligo. He had to deal with this disease for the majority of his life. While in school, he had to endure intense physical taunts from his peers. He is a strong young man & now he lives in Honduras where he serves as a Missionary.

Given the Fact that I am a African American (Black) male also can have a positive impact on the African American (Black) Community. Also given the fact that I work for the Ms. Department of Mental Health as a Public Relations Director, will perhaps open the opportunity to collaborate with Mental Health Facilities to help those affected by the Mental aspect associated with Vitiligo. These are a few reason why I feel that I have a lot to offer in regard to serving as a Board Member for the National Vitiligo Foundation.

I have Vitiligo, but Vitiligo does not have me. What does that mean? I do not let the fact that I have Vitiligo interfere with my personal or professional goals, nor do I let it interfere with my ambitions. Vitiligo does not rule my life; I refuse to allow it.

Early on in my life, I used to worry about what people would think when they saw the discoloration of my skin. This was only fueled by the constant questions from strangers, such as, "What is that? Does it hurt? Is it contagious?" I began to grow self-conscious and even tried to cover up my Vitiligo. It seems that the more I tried to hide it, the more questions I received.

I had what I can only call an epiphany. I have come to embrace my Vitiligo. It is a part of who I am, but it does not define who I am. My lovely wife summed it up best when she said, "It is part of what I love about you; you are my kaleidoscope of color!" The support that I have received from my friends and family has given me the strength to accept that I have Vitiligo, and not to let it limit my hopes or dreams.

Since then, I could not be happier or more pleasantly surprised with my life. I attended graduate school and received an MBA. I am a full-time financial consultant working with well-known international corporations. I am an adjunct instructor and was elected to the Alumni Board of Directors at my alma mater. In addition, I have become the "face" of my alma mater and have been featured in a marketing campaign having appeared on various fliers, posters, newspaper ads, e-mails, and even multiple billboards posted around the city of Milwaukee! Sometimes when I drive past one of my billboards, I think back to when I wanted to buy a pair of gloves to hide the Vitiligo my hands. . .

I have grown to embrace my Vitiligo. Funny thing; since I stopped trying to hide my Vitiligo, so have the questions. . .

Accept and be accepted,

Johnny

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