A big thank you to everyone that attended the More than Skin Deep event! It was full of a lot of good information and it is always great to be with other people experiencing the same trials. Some more exciting things are coming up..... Next week (April 9th) is Advocacy Week! I get to go and talk to Representative Jim Matheson about psoriasis and raising awareness and funds. I am really excited for this event. There are many other ways to get involved and you can find out how and sign up to be an Advocate at: https://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/grassroots/speakout-national-advocacy-week.  We need as many volunteers as we can get! Thank you!

Another exciting thing coming up! The More Than Skin Deep here in Salt Lake City will be held on March 31. You can get more information and register here --> http://www.psoriasis.org/events/health/more-than-skin-deep/salt-lake-city. Thanks for your support!!!

            For those with psoriasis, I know we have all heard about a thousand times to sit in the sun because it can help with psoriasis (which is why they also have UV light therapy treatments). For me, an afternoon in the sun seems to help more than a week of medication. That is one of the many reasons I love summer so much... it helps me to feel good inside and out. Anyway, this last weekend, my Aunt and Uncle took my cousin and I to sunny and warm St. George down in Southern Utah. Not only did it relieve stress, it made my psoriasis feel so much better. Maybe I can convince my parents to go to sunny places  more often.... Anyway, I thought I'd post some pictures from my amazing trip. 

Me

One of my favorite pictures

he

See how sunny it is??

          Wow, it has been a while since I have posted! A lot has been going on. First of all, our fundraising is up to $160.00! Our goal was $200! We are doing so well!! And a special thank you to Stewart Houser and his family for their big donation! 
          I am working on a few things right now for fundraising and spreading the word about Psoriasis. I am trying to organize a benefit concert, and I am planning on going to local elementary schools to help educate kids about it. Some super exciting stuff! If any of you have any ideas for me about fundraising or getting the word out, please let me know! Thanks! 

      Just a thought that helps me when I have a flare up (like this past week) "It is just a bad day, not a bad life".  No matter what we are struggling with, this life is still a gift and something we should always enjoy.

            For those of you who are interested in donating or joining my team for the walk, here is the place to do it:  http://walk.psoriasis.org/slc-walk. To the right, click "register today". Then hit "join an existing team" and type in Team Aldous. Click on that result. From there, just follow the steps. Just a tip, when you get to the summary, you aren't done yet. Click on "next" or it will erase everything and not register you. If you have any questions, you can email me at madialdous@gmail.com. If you want to donate, you can either donate to my team on the website, or you can just give it to me. Thanks for all of your support! Also, when you are done registering, please send me an email so I can make sure everything went through. Thanks!

     As many of you know, I am officially the Youth Ambassador for the Walk for Psoriasis Salt Lake City! I am so excited for this opportunity to have my voice heard about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I am so thankful to the National Psoriasis Foundation for giving me this opportunity. As Ambassador, I will (hopefully) get to be a big part of the Walk this year (which is being held on June 23 at 8:00 PM at Sugar House Park), I'll get to go around to different schools teaching children about psoriasis,  be really involved in the walk, fundraise to find a cure, talk to local Congressmen and Senators about raising awareness and funds, and so much more.
      

       When I was twelve, at the begging of seventh grade and my first year in Jr. High, I began noticing painful and itchy scab- like things on my scalp. I showed my mom and she told me that it might be psoriasis (which she also has). We set up an appointment with Dr. Kruger, my wonderful dermatologist. He said just what I didn't want to hear. I had psoriasis and there is no known cure.
      At first, it really affected my self-esteem. I didn't want anything to be wrong with me. Especially my skin. And particularly at the beginning of Jr. High when I just wanted to fit in. I thought that because I had this disease, I wasn't beautiful. I know now that I was wrong about that. Psoriasis doesn't mean I am any less beautiful. It makes me unique and it gives me more opportunities to reach out and help others.
       What many people don't realize is that psoriasis is so much more than just flaky, painful skin. It has it's own kind of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, it affects the immune system, and it is linked with some psychological disorders. It is linked with depression and anxiety. There is also a possibility of getting certain cancers if you have psoriasis. I'm not saying this so you feel bad for me or anyone else with psoriasis. The opposite actually. I want you to help us to find a cure.