🔔 LEPROSY!!! 📣 Pupils would taunt.
During recess, cliques and posse's of bullies lined the corridors along the senior block of my high school.
As I'd walk by, alone (as I still prefer to do), the head-bully would fetch the teacher's bell to ring the alarm.
Growing up, I was like a mosquito magnet. I had a severe allergic reaction to mosquitoes and sand flies, which left my legs badly inflamed, swollen, and spotted with dark ugly scars that looked like little raisins (that's describing it mildly).
At times, crippling pain from swollen glands made me struggle to walk, and I made frequent doctor's visits for renewing of prescribed ointments and medication. My parents tried different home remedies and did everything they could to help my condition; which for some reason did not affect my sisters or any other family member.
I was incessantly teased, and bullies did everything to humiliate me.
The nicknames and chants were endless: polka-dots, crocodile, raisin-foot, raisin-factory, fassy-fassy (a derogative Jamaican phrase), and bullies went as far as re-enacting the Middle Ages, except that they were the ones who rang the bell and shouted leprosy to warn that I was coming, then clear the walk-way with scorn as I'd walk by.
Strangely, mosquitoes gravitated to my lower body only. I was about one of ten girls at a school of approximately a thousand, who suffered bites bitterly. I was also one of the few little girls/teenagers who was not affected by facial acne, something the bullies caught onto to call me honey-face raisin-foot. I actually laughed often at all the names that they tried to break me with.
Ironically? Luckily, I've always been thick-skinned (something my parents were happy about, yet worried that I might retaliate). I never did. But I would be lying if I said I wouldn't maul anyone if they had touched me.
Still, with the pain and scars, I found every excuse to skip Physical Education classes, because the teacher denied me covering up my legs, and even the sight of my legs made me sick.
Scars of that nature remain for decades, as nothing seemed to effectively repel mosquitoes. Believe me when I say it was not a pretty sight, but I will spare you the juicy details pus discharge details and I have no images of my legs then.
I was determined to overcome and get to the bottom of the causes.
I developed a keen interest in skincare and natural remedies, and I did a lot of research and later found that I had a deficiency in Vitamin B Complex, particularly 1 and 12. I visited several dermatologists, but I had no success in removing the scars.
Bullies continued to taunt me.
I loved polka dot patterns, but never dare wore any such clothing.
The lessons I learned while suffering taunts were just how malicious students, teachers, adults (people in general) can be. How quickly people like to highlight other's faults - honey-face, fassy foot, raisin foot...I also observed how cowards felt comfortable in numbers, and realised how important it was to be able to stand up for myself.
It also showed me how important it was to learn about health conditions and causes without relying solely on a medical doctor.
It taught me the importance of loving myself and not seeking validation from others, as people will try to discover your weakness to break you.
I never gave up hopes of getting rid of those scars, even if it was just to get back at the bullies.
On my first trip to the UK, I researched clinics in London, and I discovered a place where I was comfortable to have a consultation.
I'll never forget removing my trousers to show the nurse my scars; Expecting her to squirm, she surprised me by touching them, running her hand up and down saying this is only the top layer of your skin. I can give you a gel to use just like a lotion. It will exfoliate the top layer and the scars will be gone.
My skin cleared after using a few tubes.
Now, I'm an advocate of skincare and continue to use natural remedies. Some of my favourites are coconut oil, and coffee body scrubs.
I understand the importance of protecting the skin, the largest organ of the body, and rely on proper diet inclusive of vitamins for self care.
I exercise regularly to make up for all the physical classes that I missed out on during my youth.
For high school reunions, which I absolutely detest, as I have no fucken friends from then; I'll turn up just for the sake of wearing polka dots, and showing off my legs.
With my camera, I'll smile and ask the former bullies old hags to remove from behind my lens to avoid breaking them.
#thesubtlebitch in the house!
All Images Are Mine
My response to Option two: Learn
Tell us about a time you learned a very valuable lesson. What was it, the circumstances around it, how did the learning process go and what was the result?
Thanks for your kind feedback:)
Sometimes bullies go overboard without thinking how their acts and or words affect other people's feelings. The great thing is that you used your experience to make yourself better :) Cheers!
Thanks for your kind words😊
The last thing you can do is let people get under your skin. Names don't define you. I learned that at a young age, thankfully! 🙏
That is very true. It's awesome when you learn it quite early because by then, you wouldn't carry it with you to adulthood :)
Absolutely:)
People are assholes sometimes, kids especially, and most have no clue how their taints (general behaviour) affects the victim. But here's the thing...You owned it and learned valuable lessons about yourself and others, as did I. Being different is seen as a negative thing by some, but I own that shit and know that in the long run I've benefited from the stuff that happened back then. I'm better for it, as are you.
I'd never go to a school reunion but yeah, break out the polka dots and rock that shit!
Yep, you just have to own things.
It was a rough period and something that I see others never outgrow... I just always want to offer a hug!
Jamaica is on another level...There's no PC language there. There are many degrading reggae tunes about my condition. When the songs play on the radio, you pray for the earth to open and swallow you, but no such luck! You need broad shoulders!
Or a real good sense of humour🤣
😊
Good read. Yeah, some people don’t play when it comes to name-calling. A bit insensitive eh. Happy you were thick-skinned and that the experience made you stronger. So great that you got to the root of the problem. Look at you in polka dots! Stunning.
Hahaha! Thank you😊
My parents always said it was a good thing it was me and not my sisters. Even adults would come to my house and make fun of me. Doctors everybody. It was a dreadful sight, and I had no control and could find no remedy to prevent to bites.
But yeeah, I'll forever love polka dots 😍
A bit surprising that even doctors would do that. Sad too that it was so hard to find a remedy yet it wasn’t such a “serious” problem.
Great ending. Rock that polka.lol! I love wearing polka. 😃
A lot of the doctors there are just WRONG!!!
Patient: I have a cut on my finger...
Doctors: Ok, take off all your clothes...😡
So many jokes surrounding these scenarios, that are not really funny!
Not funny at all. Hmm
😖
Apart from coconut oil, what oil do you recommend for skin care?
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