The Standing Light Foundation will present Skin Confessions Fashion Show on Saturday, Aug. 30. Skin Confessions is a fashion show honoring people experiencing chronic disease while also celebrating Psoriasis Month. The show will be held at 159 Maxwell St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vendors and sponsors are welcome by contacting Standing Light Foundation via email, https://thestandinglight foundation@gmail.com. General admission is free. For more information and tickets, contact https://facebook.com/events/s/skin-confessions-fashion-show/141735823424708. The VIP experience includes food, drinks, a swag bag and exclusive seating. Live music and vendors are available with general admission. The sponsors of the event are The Standing Light Foundation, KLS Properties, and Chefs Kiss Photography.
The Standing Light Foundation provides resources and healing spaces through creative awareness and community development with a focus on mental health, chronic illness, and domestic violence. Their core message is Shining Light, Building Hope, Creating Change.
August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions worldwide, according to Skin Care Physicians of Georgia. The goal is to educate the public, dispel old myths, and encourage those people experiencing psoriasis to seek proper care and support. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches on the skin. It is caused by an overactive immune system and is not contagious. While there is no cure, various treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
The local statistics of Cumberland County concerning the prevalence of psoriasis are unavailable. The general prevalence according to the United States is three percent based on 2020 census. The percentage translates to 75.5 million adults who live with this condition.
Takieyah Mathis, mom, wife, author, business owner, public speaker, court mediator, podcast host and founder of The Standing Light Foundation, is also a person experiencing Psoriasis.
“After high school, I was thriving as a fashion model until the onset of psoriasis changed everything. When psoriasis came, I felt the need to start hiding,” she said. “My diagnosis is Psoriasis. I have experienced it since 2016. It is a complicated and inspirational piece of my life. When I got diagnosed, I did not think about major skin conditions or my hair. My hair started falling out everywhere.
“I moved back to Fayetteville and worked at a fast-food restaurant. The manager of the fast-food restaurant asked me to cover my face with makeup. I said, ‘I cannot.’ She gave me a disgusted look. I did not go back; I slowed down on the modeling,” she said. “I accepted it is ok to be alone. No one has to accept me. No one has to love my skin. My husband is more than accepting of my skin. He is my confidence-building source.
“We have two beautiful sons. My sons bring a different love to my life. My sons are so loving. My sons are great motivation for advocacy. I did not know about a whole community of people like me. I started telling people about psoriasis. I have been blessed to be a voice for a lot of people. I have been receiving awards, being an honored hero of the Psoriasis Foundation. Being an Honored Hero changed my life. I did not think of myself as a hero for anybody but myself. I am glad I did not give up on myself,” she said. “I did not stop for moments, feeling misunderstood or overlooked. Even if you do not have a chronic disease, do not give up on yourself.”
Come to a bold, emotional, empowering evening of the intersection of fashion and advocacy: models living with psoriasis, eczema, and other chronic diseases strutting down the runway. Celebrate Psoriasis Awareness Month at the Skin Confessions Fashion Show on Saturday, Aug. 30. Family-friendly, vendors, music available with general admission. For tickets and more information, contact https:// facebook.com/events/s/skin -confessions-fashion-show/411735823424708.