Two years ago, Leila Grillo, a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, wrote a testimony for the book "Multiple Sclerosis and (lots of) Vitamin D". This is a post she just shared with the Brazilian groups and gives us an idea of how she's doing now. Leila has been on the Coimbra Protocol for three and a half years::
"I have a story to tell. Like any fairy tale, this story also has a happy ending. And the final ending? The final ending is still far! I've had psoriasis for more than 25 years, which then ended up worsening and causing psoriatic arthritis. It was a long journey of treatments, drug intoxication, fingers pointed at me, unnecessary questions due to my skin appearance (curiosity sometimes beats politeness), embarrassing situations, cruelties of tongues, unfounded judgments. Still, I never let myself down. I always did everything I wanted. I live my life normally. I wear clothes according to the season, I go to swimming pools, to the beach (less than I like, because I live in Minas Gerais), I'm a teacher in a public school, I went to graduate school. I have friends, husband and daughters who support me. I participate in my church and in my community. But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about overcoming my disease. Today, after treatment with high doses of vitamin D, I have had a significant improvement. And I'm going through an incredible experience. I had a drastic physical change. I lost 19 kg with food reeducation and exercises. The bodybuilding made my body more beautiful, more defined. And now I'm being pointed out on the street for that reason. No one else sees psoriasis, even though I still have small lesions. People now only see the change in me. They praise, they hug, they ask for advice. I confess I did not expect all this attention. This shows that attitude is everything. That we are able to face difficulties and overcome adversities. That we should never place ourselves as victims of situations. That disease should be treated and not placed at the center of our lives. And that people see us as we present ourselves. Then, stand up straight in any situation!"