I STILL AM WHO I AM. I OPENLY DISCUSS PSORIASIS TO SHOW PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE

Michał Wiśniewski is the ambassador of the AtoPsoriaDerm in Targi Kielce - the event
commences on 1 July

- Why have you decided to support the event - the expo and conference for psoriasis patients AtoPsoriaDerm, held at the Targi Kielce on July 1st?

- For 15 years I have suffered from psoriasis. I found that out about it just before I turned 30th, then it was very embarrassing for me. It no longer is. This has just become a part of me, I live like many other psoriasis patients, I have learned to coexist with my condition  But there are still many disease-related taboos, more or less severe. Therefore publicly known people should engage in domestication of such problems.  I remember when Mandaryna (second wife  - editorial note ) went down with gestational diabetes. She was speaking about it openly thus did a great job disseminating knowledge.

- What is your message?

 - I openly spoke about alcohol addiction, then about cancer. Now I discuss psoriasis to show people like me that they are not alone. I do not want to sound too pompous, but people like me should be told that life often challenges us rather than creates problems, as we tend to think.  That is why psoriasis is to be dealt wit - the best option is to start treatment and at the same time to learn live with it.  There are things in life that are a much more serious stress and depression factors.  However, I understand people who have 30 to 50 percent of their bodies affected by psoriasis and therefore they drown problems in alcohol.  I used to be a busy musician myself, full of stress and therefore drank alcohol.  This only aggravated the disease. It took me a while to understand this.  I wish others to reach this understanding too. There is always something to start with, change priorities - eliminate boosters which aggravate the disease. That's why I'm talking about it openly.

Healthy people should hear the psoriasis patient's perspective: you cannot contract psoriasis - it is an autoimmune disease, a genetic disease.  Its origin is unknown.  Unfortunately, when the disease demonstrates, it becomes a recurrent state. We, patients sometimes look better and sometimes look worse. For us this is an uncomfortable situation, all we need is just a bit of empathy and understanding.

- How do you combat the disease?

- When I got sick, there was a limited internet access, people sought help from friends, wanted to learn how treatment works.  It was not until eight years ago when I went for the first photo therapy. The steroids I used to use had stopped working, I had skin discolorations.  When I was still able to afford, I used to go Jordan - the Dead Sea region for a week or so and come back healthy, "clean". Now, every two years I regularly take 10-day sulphur-brine baths, I also use photo therapy. However, I have never used biological therapy because I think they people in much worse condition than mine, they need this therapy much more.  My psoriasis is less intense compared to other people's.

Psoriasis is the disease that can sometimes be noticed.  And how to cope with such situations?

Psoriasis takes different forms, it is really individual issue, it affects different parts of the body. Sometimes I have it in my hair - most people understand what I'm talking about.  However, it mainly impacts relations. Psoriasis-sufferers find it hard, because everybody would like to look nice? This is not the reason for being ashamed. This is the disease regular manifestation.  I try to be myself, to do I ought to do - to be a musician, to enjoy my patchwork family, to enjoy the fact that I have a loving wife.

 - What do you think psiritis patients gain from event like AtoPsoriaDerm?

It is good that in addition to the medical symposiums, where dermatologists meet and discuss tests, novelties, there are also the events which have patients in the centre of attention have been created. It is good to have such admission-free event for them.  I encourage everyone to take part in the event, gather the latest information, even meet other patients, talk to doctors, psychologist.  We are looking forward to seeing you in Targi Kielce on 1 July!  

- Thank you for the conversation.

Katarzyna Kulińska