The WOMEN Who DARE to BREAK FREE

With courage and determination, these remarkable women are redefining their lives on their own terms as they lay the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future for all

SHRESTHA TIWARI

BREAKING FREE FROM SKIN SHAMING 

Living with psoriasis since the age of eight, Shrestha Tiwari has faced criticism and bullying with resilience; she has proved that her worth extends far beyond her skin condition was diagnosed with the skin condition psoriasis at eight. I had raised patches with silvery flakes on my skin, so I caught a lot of attention in society. The burden to look ‘perfect’ was heavy, but it was difficult to even get a salon in my hometown Raipur to take me on because of the misconceptions around psoriasis. I would often be sent away, or, if they did agree to work on me, I would bleed while my legs were waxed. It seemed as if I had no real option: I could either feel embarrassed about having hair on my legs or go through the pain.

“I know today that it is normal to have a chronic skin condition, but I was constantly made to feel like a victim of something. People passed comments about how unsightly my skin looked, and questioned whether I would ever find someone to marry. Each of those comments hurt my self-esteem and confidence. As a child, I was not equipped with the knowledge to deal with what was coming my way. As I grew up, I could not find enough resources online to help me battle this condition. I wanted to feel understood and accepted, but I always felt very alone.