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jlatecki
06-10-2004, 12:27 PM
Hello everyone, I will leaving on a Guinness world record canoe trip this July 31 covering all lower 48 states to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis and psoriasis
Raising awareness for psoriasis is not something I planned on doing while on my canoe trip but it is very noticeable on my legs.
I did a practice 92 day 1,800 mile canoe trip in 2001 from Ohio to New Orleans. My psoriasis was not as bad as it is now. Still it was noticeable and many people asked me if I had poison Ivy or had a very severe sunburn. I took the time to explain to some of the people what psoriasis was, but by the end of the trip when someone asked if that was poison ivy on my leg I just said yes because it was quicker than trying to explain what psoriasis was.

I plan on being more public about my psoriasis on my upcoming canoe trip. I was shocked when the first psoriasis connections magazine came in the mail sealed in a black plastic cover like it was a porn magazine. I can see why after reading the poll in the spring issue that many people don't talk about psoriasis unless asked. My psoriasis is noticeable enough I would rather bring it up front than let people leave it to their imaginations. Because in the grand scheme of things compared to diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, ect.. psoriasis is not that big of a deal.

I feel the more open people are with psoriasis the better it will be for people with psoriasis in the future. Well anyway I hope to see some of you along my canoe trip for MS. Here is my web site http://www.fightingms.org/
John Latecki Jr

clsmlm
06-11-2004, 03:43 AM
Good luck on your trip. I do know what you mean. I would get asked all the time, is that Poison Ivy on your arms. I got so tired of trying to explain it to people, I would just say yes. I"m still amazed at how random people will look at something on the body and say whats that?

coachG
06-11-2004, 06:31 AM
Hi John, I went to your website.....I am soooo impressed, you are such an awesome person!! I want to wish you the best for your upcoming trip. You are such a great inspiration. Thank you for sharing with us.