the book

In the Spring of 2012 as part of my senior thesis project I wrote and illustrated a book about my experiences with photodermamitis as a young girl. As a mother to a pre-teen daughter at that time, I was intimately aware of (and became concerned about) society's influence on her perception of self-image. Writing this book became a way for me to embrace my skin for what it holds--not for how it looks from the outside and to show my daughter the beauty in overcoming adversity. 

the thesis statement

Skin disease is the most common health problem in the United States. Yet the majority of those affected with skin disorders do not seek medical advice, due to shame and the lack of resources and information. Skin disease can affect the quality of one’s life – it has social, financial and psychological consequences. I am not my skin. This is what I tell myself from time to time when I look in the mirror. I have photodermatitis —a skin allergy to sun light. Living with photodermatitis is a physical and emotional drain, and has been since my diagnosis. Yet, despite the dark scars that remain of this disease, I have managed to overcome my self-consciousness. My personal experience has led to my interest in studying the physical and physiological transformations of photodermatitis. I am not my Skin intends to express my personal perception of photodermatitis’ unique beauty by completing an examination of its’ simple, yet intricate, characteristics. This book portrays my perception about the reality of beauty in today’s society, where technology and mass media continually influence preeteens’ self-image. I am not my Skin expresses how one’s image is affected by external societal influences. It also expresses the uniqueness and complexity of the self-image in relation to skin disease in current society and its constant transmutation and development.