Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction Overcoming: A Personal Response to Affliction By Kate Ehlke Milwaukee, Wisconsin Home School Kate Ehlke the achiever, the talented girl, the beautiful girl, the person other people wanted to be, that was me and I loved it. Honored with the title of 2001 Miss American Jr. Teen Wisconsin Talent (for voice performance and art) I had so many wonderful dreams of how my life would go. Then I was diagnosed with severe cystic acne. The emotional and physical pain of the condition turned me from a people person to a recluse. Hour after hour I researched causes and cures. What helps one person may do nothing for another suffering from this complex disease. From simple "cures" to complex "cures" I tried and tried again...one would work for a while, and my hopes would soar. Then once again I'd have terrible cysts and breakouts recur: the roller coaster ride was emotionally devastating. Would I suffer with this for my whole life? Cystic and other forms of acne are becoming epidemic in our time, attacking not only teens but people in their 40's and 50's. And the ever-present fear of permanent scarring is very real. Kate Ehlke and Claes Nobel at Milwaukee member event at the Pfister Hotel Acne is in no way just a cosmetic issue. It is physically painful. Cysts can grow until they finally burst. Cysts can also harden under the skin, putting painful pressure on nerves. My turning point, rock bottom, came with realizing that if I could never find healing for my own condition at least I could start to help others! I got in contact with some national inflammatory skin disease institutes; I started working endless hours internationally online with others: sharing info, educating others with info I'd gleaned from hours of research, offering comfort, support and encouragement to never give up hope. Getting involved in this cause has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. "Hey Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us your story, there are so many of us that can relate, and your success gives us hope." "Hi Kate...I'm amazed at your results...I think you're very beautiful and most of all, very brave. I am just so happy for anyone who has gotten back their life after suffering from acne..." Besides getting very positive feed-back from people I've helped online (which makes my heart soar!) I've been told I am an inspiration by my mother, grandpa, friends of all ages. Beauty is more than skin deep; and when stricken with a problem, reaching out to help others can be a WIN/WIN situation. I thank God that after struggling emotionally, spiritually, and physically with severe cystic acne, God has finally led me to complete healing through laser treatments, which are making even my scars disappear. My inner scars continue to heal. My love for my online volunteer work with acne sufferers of all ages, from all over the world, keeps me working many hours a week sharing my story and educating others about this very serious inflammatory skin disease, which affects all aspects of a person's life: emotional, spiritual and physical. For on-line acne support group information, you can e-mail Kate at wisconsin_violet@yahoo.com << Back to Journal Home page