Context:

India Bolton, a young mother, recounts her battle with severe psoriasis, which intensified during her pregnancy, affecting her confidence and daily life. She describes the challenges of undergoing UVB treatment and making significant dietary changes, such as cutting out trigger foods like dairy, beef, and gluten, to manage her condition. Creating an Instagram account helped her connect with others facing similar struggles, offering her a sense of validation and community. Despite frustrations with maintaining a strict diet, she emphasizes the importance of her support system, including her partner and friends, who help her feel accepted and loved. Through her journey, she has taught her children about self-confidence and self-love, regardless of physical appearance, creating a positive legacy for them to witness and learn from.

Dive Deeper:

• India Bolton faced a debilitating psoriasis flare during her pregnancy, experiencing intense pain and discomfort that prevented her from fully engaging with her children and daily activities.

• Under the guidance of her dermatologists, she began UVB treatment, a process that initially worsened her skin condition before showing improvement, requiring patience and perseverance.

• To help manage her psoriasis, she eliminated dietary triggers such as dairy, beef, nightshade vegetables, and gluten, though maintaining these dietary restrictions remains a constant challenge.

• Connecting with others through an Instagram account provided India with much-needed emotional support and validation, helping her feel less isolated in her struggle with psoriasis.

• Her partner, Logan, and friends play a crucial role in supporting her through flare-ups, offering practical help and unconditional acceptance, which bolsters her self-esteem.

• Despite the challenges, India uses her experiences to teach her children about the importance of self-love and confidence, showing them that one's worth isn't dictated by skin appearance.

• India expresses a desire to live freely without constant dietary analysis, highlighting her humanity and the balance she seeks between managing her condition and enjoying life.