I pass really well, stealth even. However, I have a debilitating skin disease I got while serving in Afghanistan. When that happens, my face will literally almost rot off entirely. I have no healthy skin on my face right now.

When it gets like this, I don't pass well at all. I look like pure-t-sh** right now and I work retail. Lots of open mockery. How do you deal with it? I literally can't even. I broke down crying, had to tell them, no I'm not a gay man, but a woman who is suffering while protecting their right to be an ->-bleeped-<- to me. Hope I don't lose my job.

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Jessy:

Allow me to guess that you are probably having difficulty obtaining VA care.  My heart goes to you.

A former best friend came home from service during the Viet Nam era.  He had Agent Orange poisoning but was not aware of it until he was staying with me waiting for the next college semester to begin.  One night we were watching TV on the sofa together.  Suddenly, he went into some form of spasms.  We went to the doctor the next day and that began a long course.  It took at least five years until VA finally agreed to place him on disability treatment.

I know it's not the same but let me tell you that I had really bad acne as a child and teen - pus-filled pores that hurt real bad.  I used my long hair to cover my face throughout my teen years.  So maybe with all this I hope I can empathise with you in some small measure.

I am saddened that people abuse you at work.  I say 'Touche'!' to you and yes I hope your supervisor realises your pain fending off rude customers.

Perhaps your supervisor can assign you to other reasonable duty on days of these episodes.

My thoughts are with you.


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I always forced myself to ignore, when they push really too far I find their flaws and start counterblasting them and if they exceed their limits and get physical I start attacking with weapons as tear gas & taser.

Dear Jessy,

I am so sorry that you have been so insulted. It is unforgivable in my mind to ever insult another person, but to do so to a vet who has suffered from serving her country is despicable.

I would tell your supervisors, I would take it to the head of the company! I would tell them bluntly that you are being publicly abused due to injury received following service to your country and what is the companies policy and response to that?

Hugs, Jessy. Please, whatever you do, don't allow the opinions of shallow people dent the core of who you are. People who do not accept your identity or who mock your physical appearance are showing the world their true lack of character while your service to your country shows the true strength of yours.

Is there someone you work with who can be an ally? Who can give you a pat on the back or a kind smile whenever some d***wad brings you down?

Is there something you can do to help your skin ?

Usually the skin is really dry and flares off.
Would some plant based oil like coconut oil help ?

Can you use some clothing to help shade parts of it ?
A cap and a shawl for the neck ?

Internal cleansing might also help....
to drive off some harmful substances...
wild garlic, as pesto, could be tried...
just eating it with bread...

and if you can get estro next week you should be able to be mentally more balanced, this should help too...

I went to the ER and they prescribed me antibiotics, my skin cream, and pain reliever. I'm not getting the pain reliever, because I don't take dope pills. I don't care if they're prescribed. I can suffer through pain.

I'm pretty sick though. My lymph nodes are the size of acorns, and my throat is twice the normal size. I get paid tomorrow, so I'm getting the scripts tomorrow. Wish me luck.