Hi everyone!
I am new to this forum. In fact, this is my first day here at the website! From reading all of your stories... they are amazing on what you go through to try and cure this disease. For me to cure my psoriasis I have stopped thinking about it! Though when I look down at my knees, legs, elbows, tummy and neck it's still there and reminds me of what I have! I was diagnosed with this at the age of 27. I used creams, diets, UV light and nothing seemed to work.. It's just a weird disease as one spot is healing another pops up! I stopped trying to figure it out a long time ago. My husband surprised me with a race car in our yard on my 30th birthday! How cool! My dream of racing is finally coming true! I am 32 years old and still racing! You can see pics of me on my website at http://www.teamupr.com Last year I broke out severly with guttate psoriasis! Oh goodness... it was everywhere! My mouth, my ears... everywhere! I went to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ... the doctor there was so nice! She said its a hereditary disease and that there is no cure yet! There are some things we could try but the side effects seemed worse than the disease... I passed on those shots! I was given more steroid cream and was told to sit in the sun for at least 20 min. a day. That could become a problem when you find yourself busy crossing the US in a semi truck with crew, kids and racing on top of that! But I did what I could. She called me back to let me know that I had strep throat... I was like, "COOL... I'm cured... give me the antibiotics and it will go away! Right?" Unfortunetly, no. It did go away eventually but I still have patches on my elbows, knees, legs, stomach and neck. Sometimes they fade away and sometimes they come back full force. I used to model and I was in pageants when I was a teenager. I received an invitation to participate in the MRs. Arizona America Pageant! Yes, a psoriasis sufferer was on stage in a bathing suit! I didn't win but I did walk away with the Director's Choice Award. I was able to put make-up on my psoriasis and with picutes I am very good with Photoshop and I just delete them out of sight! I love that program! We are moving to Nebraska and I'm hoping to find support groups out there... if not, I will start one of my own! My dream is still to win one of those pageants! Wouldn't that be cool to have a psoriasis sufferer win one of those? Most of all I want to help promote awareness about this disease! I'm looking forward to trying out for Mrs. Nebraska America and use Psoriasis Awareness as my platform! I know this disease can be painful and emotionally draining. But I have learned for it not to take over my life. I refuse to let some disease stop me from becoming who I want to be in life! I refuse to let this disease stop me from becoming intimate with my loved one! I refuse to let this disease stop me! Never give up who you are!!!!!! We will find a cure and we will bring awareness!

I'm looking forward to trying out for Mrs. Nebraska America and use Psoriasis Awareness as my platform! I know this disease can be painful and emotionally draining. But I have learned for it not to take over my life. I refuse to let some disease stop me from becoming who I want to be in life! I refuse to let this disease stop me from becoming intimate with my loved one! I refuse to let this disease stop me! Never give up who you are!!!!!! We will find a cure and we will bring awareness!
ATTA GIRL! :D Never give up or in, always believe and keep the faith! I love the positive attitude that you have. Best wishes to you in your quest for Mrs. Nebraska America!
Keep up the good work and THANKS!
Karen

Hi Buggygirl,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you.
I used to model and I was in pageants when I was a teenager. I received an invitation to participate in the MRs. Arizona America Pageant! Yes, a psoriasis sufferer was on stage in a bathing suit! I didn't win but I did walk away with the Director's Choice Award. Wow! That's awesome! Good for you. Congratulations. :cool:

I was able to put make-up on my psoriasis and with picutes I am very good with Photoshop and I just delete them out of sight! I love that program! LOL! Good for you!
We are moving to Nebraska and I'm hoping to find support groups out there... if not, I will start one of my own! Good luck with the move. Here's a link to the listing of the NPF affiliated support groups: http://support.here/home/index.php. I don't see one for Nebraska. It would be awesome if you could start one.
My dream is still to win one of those pageants! Wouldn't that be cool to have a psoriasis sufferer win one of those? Most of all I want to help promote awareness about this disease! I'm looking forward to trying out for Mrs. Nebraska America and use Psoriasis Awareness as my platform! Oh, wow! That would be awesome. I hope that I don't I jinx your chances, but I hope and pray that your dream comes true!
I know this disease can be painful and emotionally draining. But I have learned for it not to take over my life. I refuse to let some disease stop me from becoming who I want to be in life! I refuse to let this disease stop me from becoming intimate with my loved one! I refuse to let this disease stop me! Never give up who you are!!!!!! We will find a cure and we will bring awareness! Good for you! It would be awesome if you could join us in February for Capital Hill Day. That's where a group of us (we were a hundred voices strong last year) goes to Washington and lobbies congress for additional funds for psoriasis research. Until I got involved in Capital Hill Day, I had never been envolved in something like this before. It's an amazing experience. I can't even begin to adequately describe the feeling. Here's a link to some additional information about Capital Hill Day: .
Once again, welcome to the Board. Please let us know about your future adventures. You've certainly grabbed onto life with both hands. It sounds like you're enjoying every minute of it. Good for you!
Mike

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the welcome! That would be awesome to go to Capitol Hill! I told my husband and we are going to make a family trip out of it. Very excited to be a part of that. I hope you are there too so I get to meet you! So, you say there is no support group for Neb? Well, there will be now... I will look into that once I move out there and get that started. I will keep you posted. Talk at ya' later. Lisa

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the welcome! You're very welcome, Lisa.
That would be awesome to go to Capitol Hill! I told my husband and we are going to make a family trip out of it. Very excited to be a part of that. I hope you are there too so I get to meet you! Barring a family emergency (I have elderly parents), I would't miss CHD for the world! I'm glad you're going to come. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your family.
So, you say there is no support group for Neb? Well, there will be now... I will look into that once I move out there and get that started. That's great. I can't wait to hear all about it.
Take care and I'll talk to you soon.
Mike
P.S. I just checked out your website. It's awesome!

We cannot let P define us.
How cool!
You are awesome and an Inspiration! :D