April Star, from Miami, Florida, may only be 10-years-old, but she has big ambitions.
The future-model-in-the-making, whose skin condition leaves her with patches of white discoloration all over her body, already has over 62,000 followers for her photos and inspiring words on the social media site.
Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of your body. It may also affect hair, the inside of the mouth and even the eyes.
Normally, the color of hair, skin and eyes is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning.
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Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people of color. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself. Treatment for vitiligo may improve the appearance of the affected skin but does not cure the disease. And sometimes reoccurs even stronger.
MUST READ: Woman With Vitiligo Shares An Amazing Story
According to Buzzfeed Life the young model was diagnosed with vitiligo at the age of six. But rather than letting her condition stop her from pursuing her fashion dreams, April set out to change society's perceptions of the modeling industry - and redefine stereotypical beauty standards in the process.
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Looking at her now, you would think that she born this confident, but that's not true. It wasn't an easy road to......becoming the confident young lady she is today. April's mother says that she was frequently bullied and left depressed by the jibes aimed at her by classmates at school.
But thanks to support from her mother and her older sister, actress Yindra Zayas - who was the one who inspired April to open the Instagram account - as well as America's Next Top Model star Winnie Harlow, who also has vitiligo, April said she eventually learned to accept her "love spots".
April is now being praised by Winnie for her confidence, which April herself defines as "being yourself and never being afraid of showing anyone the real you."
People from around the world are showing this lovely little powerhouse some love.
"You are so beautiful!! I have vitiligo too, but I have never been so confident as you are," wrote one of her followers on social media.
And we agree. Keep rising to the top Ms. Star!
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