All of us have something that we don't like. Some of us can hide it and some of us can't. Roughly eight and a half million Americans have Psoriasis and I am one of them. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itching and some pain. It also causes red dry blotches on the body. When mine flares up, I get red dry spots all over my body. I understand that some people think it looks ugly. I have had people totally avoid me during a flare up. I was basically treated like a Leper. I remember one time when I used to work as a Security supervisor, one of the officers actually asked me what was wrong with me and when I told him, I had to yell because he was so far away from me. I explained to him, like I want everyone to understand. You have to be lucky enough to be born with it in order to have it. I am one of the lucky ones. My skin is more sensitive to the sun and I do cover up as much as I can when it breaks out but, I only cover up because it bothers others, not me. The only thing about my Psoriasis that bothers me is the itching and pain that comes with it. The look of it doesn't bother me a bit. I know that a lot of people need to understand that people with Psoriasis (the lucky ones) are not Lepers. They are every day people. Once again, Psoriasis is not catching. Don't be afraid of the look but, rather get to know the lucky one who has that look. It's funny really, society seems to understand or tolerate a lot of diseases or disorders in this world but, someone with Psoriasis shows up and people give them that look. The look as if to say DON'T TOUCH ME. I am NOT a Leper. I am a regular Human Being who happens to be one of the lucky few who have a skin disease. In honesty I do hope for a time when I can wear a tank top and shorts in public during a flare up and not have people be afraid to even get near me. I didn't ask for Psoriasis but, I HAVE learned to live with it, I have no choice. Please help me get some education about Psoriasis out to people who see me and eight million others as Lepers or people to avoid. Thank you.....................Bk