Psoriasis was a word I had never even heard of when I was diagnosed in eighth grade. No one in my family even knew what it was or where it came from. Accepting that I had an autoimmune disease was tough. People were pointing, staring, and questioning the white scaly patches showing in my hairline. This disease was slowly taking me over me, making me feel worthless. However, I didn’t let this disease stop me from doing what I wanted to do. When I was diagnosed, I struggled with my long hair. I wanted to get rid of it because of how many times I had to wash it, to get rid of those horrid scales. Throughout the years, I learned to embrace my beautiful hair. I learned not to be insecure about my Psoriasis, and I learned to do whatever hairstyles I wanted without fear. This disease gave me an opportunity to find the power from within me, to play my favorite sport. I started playing tennis two years after I was diagnosed, and this was when I began to feel stiff joints. But, tennis was my escape. It helped me stay active and relieve stress.