A teenage boy with vitiligo has opened up about his condition and revealed how his unique skin tone influenced his life.
19-year-old Aviral Chauhan from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was born in India to Indian parents before moving to the United States when he was 13 years old.
Due to vitiligo, a skin condition that results in the development of white patches, the teen’s white patches began growing bigger until the majority of his body and face were white.
“It started with a few small white spots when I was 11, but suddenly the vitiligo went crazy and I would barely recognize myself in pictures from just a few months earlier,” Aviral says.
“There was a time when I didn’t look the same for any two days – my skin would change dramatically overnight. Classmates in high school would ask questions when I didn’t really understand it myself, and I often heard other adults asking my parents about me when they thought I couldn’t hear.
“I might look white, but my family and culture are still Indian and I try my best to stay true to my identity.”
While dealing with changes, the teen also had to face harsh comments from strangers who would question his parents and ask him if he is adopted or an albino.
“It would be questions like, ‘Is he adopted?’ or ‘is he albino?’ That was pretty tough to hear as a teenager,” the teenager added.
“Or people would say to my parents ‘You’re so lucky he’s white’ thinking they were complimenting me, because it was seen as desirable to have a child with a lighter skin tone in Indian culture. But my family didn’t see it that way – all it did was disconnect me further from my identity.”
Despite all the comments about his skin tone, Aviral came to accept his condition when he started going to high school at the age of 16.
Nevertheless, he admitted that strangers still dare to question him and even accuse him of cultural appropriation when he celebrates Hindu holidays or wears traditional Indian clothes.
“It was annoying that people were questioning me and making accusations – it’s literally my own culture,” Aviral expressed.
“I don’t necessarily go out of my way to tell people I’m Indian, but I would never pretend I’m not, because it’s who I am.”
While comments from strangers may be upsetting, Aviral has nothing but good things to say about his friends and family who have always supported him and helped him feel good in his own skin.
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