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We live in the space and time of abundance, the source of unlimited possibilities.  That freedom of too much choice leads us to habitually obsess over the process of selecting between objects, from supplements to skincare to cosmetics. Anxious about flaws that are hardly seen, eventually that nervous button is pushed enough causing dysfunction in decision making.
我們生活在這個豐盛的時代有無限可能的源泉。這種過多選擇的自由使我們習慣性地對物品進行過度挑選，從補充品到護膚品到化妝品，我們為了微不足道的瑕疵而焦慮不已，最終，這種不安的情緒足夠強烈，會干擾我們的決策過程。

Technology, along with the skins cycle, are no doubt the most accessible ways to combat skin issues in modern daily living. Still, some remain a mystery or even believed to be a curse in some cultures.
科技與皮膚的週期，無疑是現代日常生活中應對皮膚問題的最便捷途徑。儘管如此，一些問題仍然謎一般存在，甚至在某些文化中，這些問題被認為是一種詛咒。

Montreal Beauty, Model of NEXT Canada, Public Speaker, and Founder of the non-profit organization Born To Rise - Aiesha Robinson, who was diagnosed with Vitiligo at the age of 18. Vitiligo is a skin condition caused by reasons like an autoimmune disorder or genes, while most reasons still remain unknown. She is joining us to talk about how Vitiligo, the rarely-to-non-curable skin condition, turned out to be the healing tool for her heart and soul along with opening the door for her new journey in life.
來自蒙特利爾的美容模特、NEXT Canada 模特兒、公共演講者以及非營利組織「Born To Rise」創辦人——Aiesha Robinson，18歲時被診斷為白癜風。白癜風，又稱白蝕症，是一種由自體免疫疾病或基因等原因引起的皮膚病，雖然大部分原因仍未被揭示。她將與我們分享，這個少見的、幾乎無法治愈的皮膚病，如何成為她心靈的療愈工具，並為她打開了全新的人生旅程。

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C O N V E R S A T I O N

NL | Nicole Lui @ NOIRSTONE
AR | Aiesha Robinson

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• ‍NL | Let’s talk about the pre-vitiligo days... What was your perception of life at the time and your vision of things to come?
  AR | Life before Vitiligo was about me trying to own the fact that I was considered ‘too darksinned or too skinny’ to have anyone interested in me. There was always something for me to be self-conscious about. My complexion, I couldn’t do anything about, but as for my weight, I would so badly want to gain weight to have that curvaceous body that was so in.
  NL | 我們來談談白癜風前的日子吧... 當時你對生活的看法是什麼？對未來的願景又是怎樣的？
  AR | 在得白癜風之前，我試圖接受自己被認為是“太黑”或“太瘦”，沒有人會對我有興趣。我總是有很多東西讓我感到不安。我無法改變我的膚色，但我非常希望能增加體重，擁有那種當時流行的曲線身材。
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• NL | Vitiligo also happened to your grandfather. Did you see the opportunity of this as a way to be well prepared for what was coming?
  AR | I was told that he was burned at work and never thought anything more of it. When I got diagnosed was when I put two and two together. I never approached him about it either because I figured if he never came out and spoke about it, it was because he wasn't comfortable enough to do so. But once it started to appear on my face, he would show me the makeup he would use to cover up.
  NL | 白癜風也曾困擾過你的祖父。當時你是否認為這是讓你能夠為未來做好準備的機會？
  ‍AR | 我被告知他在工作時被燒傷，但從未想過更多。當我自己被診斷出來時，我才將兩者聯繫起來。我也沒有去問他，因為我認為如果他從來不公開討論這件事，那是因為他不舒服。但當它開始出現在我的臉上時，他會向我展示他用來掩蓋的化妝品。
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• NL | How did you react when first discovering you have the same condition? Was it heart breaking or some kind of punch to the gut?
  ‍AR | It was a mixture of both. I knew he didn't accept it and my friend of lighter complexion had a hard time dealing with it as well, so considering their insecurities living with the condition, I only assumed the worst for myself. Especially for my friend of lighter complexion because you can barely tell she has it unless she points it out. But it’s all a mental thing.
  NL | 當你首次發現自己得了這種病時，你是怎樣反應的？是心碎還是像一記重擊？
  AR | 這是一種混合的感覺。我知道他無法接受，而我那位膚色較淺的朋友也很難面對這一點，所以考慮到他們對這個病的自卑，我只能為自己預想最糟糕的情況。尤其是對我的那位膚色較淺的朋友來說，除非她指出來，否則你幾乎看不出她有白癜風。但這一切，其實都是一種心理作用。

• ‍NL | We all have “awakening” moments, at least once in a lifetime. How did you make it through and would you consider this the moment leading you to that next chapter in life?
  AR | Sharing my truth, getting real with myself, and becoming my own best friend was what got me through. The first time I literally held that knife to my wrist was when I realized that things need to change. I realized that I didn’t actually want to die, I just wanted to end the pain. There had to be a way to end the pain without ending my life. Speaking out and sharing my thoughts and feelings with my brother was the best thing I could’ve done for myself because I found so much comfort in doing so that it led to my purpose - giving and being a voice for others.
  NL | 每個人都有一個“覺醒”的時刻，至少一生中會經歷一次。你是如何度過這個過程的？你會認為這是引領你進入下一個人生階段的時刻嗎？
  AR | 分享我的真實想法，與自己真誠相處，成為自己最好的朋友，這些讓我度過了這段過程。第一次當我真的把刀子對準自己的手腕時，我意識到事情必須改變。我發現我並不真的想死，我只是想結束這份痛苦。必須有一種方法來結束痛苦，而不結束我的生命。與我的哥哥分享我的想法和感受是我為自己所做的最好的事情，因為這給了我很多安慰，並且指引我走向我的目標——為他人發聲。
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• NL | One of my older cousins used to have vitiligo and I was blessed to have my curious mind fed with the knowledge and exposure.  However, not all have the opportunity to be educated on this topic. Would you think your childhood place had a lack of education or experience which lead to the discrimination you experienced?
  AR | Absolutely. No question about it. I was diagnosed at 18 and a lot of people didn’t know about it. People didn’t even necessarily know Michael Jackson had it. I think the real word about it came out when Winnie Harlow became famous to be honest. But the time of my diagnosis, there was no model in the limelight, so I took it upon myself to educate people in schools, so that the young ones wouldn’t have to face bullying because of an uncontrollable condition.
  NL | That's a good call.  Imagine how powerful it would be if MJ became an advocate of Vitiligo.NL | 我的堂哥曾經有白癜風，我很幸運能夠從小就了解並接觸這個知識。然而，並不是每個人都能有這個機會。你覺得你成長的地方缺乏這方面的教育，這也導致了你所經歷的歧視嗎？
  AR | 絕對是這樣，毫無疑問。我18歲時被診斷出來，那時很多人對白癜風不了解，甚至有些人不知道麥可·傑克遜也得了這個病。我覺得真正讓人了解這個病的時候，應該是在Winnie Harlow出名之後。但在我被診斷的時候，並沒有一位模特兒在聚光燈下，所以我決定自己去學校教育大家，讓年輕一代不要因為這種無法控制的病而遭受欺凌。
  NL | 這真是個明智的決定。想像一下，如果麥可·傑克森成為了白癜風的代言人，那會是多麼有影響力。‍

• NL | What does the notion of uniqueness mean in your eyes? Is it the result of being in a place of homogeneity, lacking diversity, and having the labels of ordinary vs. not?
  AR | Uniqueness describes every single person and element on this earth. There are no two things alike. Everything (duplicate or not) carries their own fine tune characteristic that can’t be copied. It’s harder to identify when you are trying to fit within what’s considered the norm, but when you are truly being your authentic self, that’s uniqueness because there’s no one else like you.
  NL | 在你眼中，獨特性意味著什麼？它是否來自於處於同質性、缺乏多樣性和被貼上“普通”與“非普通”標籤的地方？
  AR | 獨特性描述了這個地球上每一個人和每一個元素。沒有兩個事物是完全相同的。每一個（無論是否重複）都有自己無法複製的細微特徵。當你試圖融入所謂的“常規”時，這點就變得更難辨識。但當你真正做自己時，那才是獨特，因為這個世界上沒有人是像你這樣的。

• ‍NL | Through your own experience and starting the empowering movement of a non-profit organization Born To Rise, you’ve been successfully raising awareness, not only helping to gather those who have vitiligo but also all ages, genders, religions, beliefs in order to share their own stories on one stage. Going into the 5th year, has it changed your perspective on having vitiligo now versus the early days?
  AR | Oh yes! I once thought vitiligo was the worst thing to ever happen to me. But now I see it as part of my story, part of a challenge I needed to face in order to grow, in order to value myself and know my worth. Vitiligo is just a chapter of my story where I learn about self love.
  NL | 通過你自身的經歷和創立「Born To Rise」這個充滿力量的非營利組織，你成功地提高了對白癜風的認識，不僅幫助那些患有白癜風的人，還讓來自各個年齡、性別、宗教和信仰背景的人們都可以站在同一個舞台上分享他們的故事。進入第五年後，你的看法有沒有改變，現在看待白癜風和當初的心情相比有何不同？
  AR | 當然改變了！我曾經認為白癜風是我生命中最糟糕的事情。但現在我把它看作是我的故事的一部分，是我必須面對的挑戰，讓我成長，讓我學會珍惜自己，認識到自己的價值。白癜風只是我故事中的一章，我從中學會了自愛。
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• NL | So what’s your plan after this year’s annual show?
  AR | I want Born To Rise to be more than just the annual show. So the plans after this is to start executing other ideas that I have to keep inspiring people to share their story and to provide them with tools and support to RISE above adversity.
  NL | Yes! Please don't stop this influential work.
  NL | 那麼，今年的年度活動結束後，你的計劃是什麼？
  AR | 我希望「Born To Rise」不僅僅是一場年度活動。所以接下來的計劃是開始執行其他想法，繼續鼓勵人們分享他們的故事，並為他們提供工具和支持，讓他們能夠克服逆境。
  NL | 是的！請不要停止這項有影響力的工作。‍

• NS | You landed your first modeling contract through the beauty of you and your empowering movement. This has put you in fashion shows, given the opportunities as a spokesperson of cosmetic brands, an advocate of self-love, as well as painting New York City with your name. What are your definitions of Beauty, Self-love, and Luxurious Living?
  AR | As cliche as this may sound, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ I truly believe that. Self-Love: Understanding of oneself and being able to cater to your own needs unapologetically.  Luxurious Living: Treating yourself to expensive things you CAN afford lol.
  NS | 你憑藉自身的美麗以及充滿力量的運動，獲得了第一份模特兒合約。這讓你參與時裝秀、擔任化妝品牌代言人、成為自愛的倡導者，甚至將你的名字印在紐約的街頭。對你來說，美麗、自愛和奢華生活的定義是什麼？
  AR | 雖然這聽起來有點老生常談，但我真的相信「各花入各眼」。
  自愛：了解自己，並能無愧地滿足自身需求。
  奢華生活：犒賞自己一些你能夠負擔得起的昂貴享受，哈哈。

• NS | I have a few “standard questions” I like to ask my A-Listers… What’s your vision of change in our society a decade from now?
  AR | If you don’t know what vitiligo is, then you’re the weird one! lol
  NS | 我有幾個「標準問題」喜歡問我們的 A-Listers…你對未來十年社會變革的願景是什麼？AR | 如果你不知道白癜風是什麼，那麼你才奇怪呢！哈哈‍

• NS | If you were to meet your younger self, what advice would you give her?
  AR | Omg, so much lol.  What you think about, you attract - positive thinking*. Everything that is happening, is teaching you something. Pain doesn’t last forever, you’ll be okay!! Whatever it is you’re going through, will get you through. You Are Born To RISE!!!
  NS | 如果你能見到年輕時的自己，你會給她什麼建議？
  AR | 哇，好多啊，哈哈。你所思所想會吸引你——積極思考。發生的一切，都在教你某些事情。痛苦不會永遠持續，你會沒事的！無論你正在經歷什麼，都會幫助你度過難關。你生來就是要崛起（You Are Born To RISE）！‍

• NS | What’s that one question you’d like to ask our NS Insiders?
  AR | Questions I always ask myself to keep me aligned with who I am are:
  What is your WHY? What’s your Purpose? What are your values? What do you represent? What do you want to embody? These I feel are deep rooted questions that keep us grounded. If I have to go with one question only it would be, What’s Your Purpose?
  NS | Knowing the purpose and stay grounded definitely are nonnegotiable.  Not only am I the mother of a child with vitiligo, I came to this earth with a birthmark on my face which was made fun of for decades. I can resonate with what you’ve been through. I’ve learned that it’s vital for parents to educate ourselves prior to anything,  with the hope to cultivate the next generation on how to cope. So thank you and I truly appreciate the difference you’re making and continuing the life education.
  NS | 你最想問我們 NS Insiders 的一個問題是什麼？
  AR | 我經常問自己的一些問題，以保持自我一致：你的「為何（WHY）」是什麼？你的使命是什麼？你的價值觀是什麼？你代表什麼？你想展現什麼？我覺得這些都是根深蒂固的問題，讓我們保持踏實。如果只能選一個問題，那就是：你的使命是什麼？
  NS | 清楚自己的使命並保持穩定，確實是不可妥協的。我不僅是白癜風孩子的母親，我自己出生時臉上就有胎記，幾十年來被人取笑。我能理解你所經歷的事。我學到，父母必須先教育自己，才能有希望培養下一代學會如何應對。因此，謝謝你，我真的很感激你所做出的改變，以及持續傳遞的人生教育。

A I E S H A ' S   C H O I C E

| Snack(s) |
Chocolate chip cookies or Molten lava chocolate cake!!!!
朱古力碎曲奇 或 熔岩朱古力蛋糕!!!!

| Drink(s) |
Water, Gingerale, Lemonade
水、生薑汽水、檸檬水

| Song Of The Month |
Old Town Road :)

| Book(s) |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris‍
《十九分鐘》by Jodi Picoult、《煉金術士》by Paulo Coelho、《關門後的秘密》by B.A. Paris

| Mentor(s) + Inspiration(s) |
Oprah Winfrey

| Stress reliever(s)  |
Basketball, Hanging with friends, TV, Writing down a to do list. Gratitude Journal
打籃球、與朋友聚會、看電視、寫待辦清單、感恩日記

| That 1 Thing You Keep Telling Yourself |
我生來就是要崛起（Born To Rise）（真的，不是宣傳）
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| Daily Routine |  
I pray, write in my 5 minute journal, state my affirmations for the day, listen to a youtube gratitude video (Click Here)
Do what I have planned for the day, shower, eat, 5 minute journal, watch tv until I fall asleep.

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This article was originaly published on or website in February 2020