"Vitiligo Shaped Me": Testimony of Samirel Gandourri on Acceptance and Resilience

Quebec — At 45 years old, Samirel Gandourri shares his journey marked by a visible difference and inner strength. Of Moroccan-Tunisian origin, born in Quebec, he explains how vitiligo became not a burden but a source of character, identity, and acceptance.

At the age of 6, a road accident changed Samirel Gandourri’s life. Struck while riding a BMX, he suffered injuries and scars that marked the beginning of the development of vitiligo. "I scratched the scars, then it developed into vitiligo." At the time, there were few studies on this disease, often considered merely cosmetic.

Living in a city like Quebec, already as a visible minority, Samirel explains that his skin marks drew curiosity. This outside gaze pushed him, from childhood, to build a strong personality and to defend his place in society. "Gradually, it shaped my character." His caring parents looked for ways to ease or cover the condition, but medical options were limited in the 80s and 90s.

The family history was only discovered later when his paternal grandmother developed the disease at age 70. That made the genetic link clearer. "For me, vitiligo has always brought strength, not weakness," he states with conviction. Working in a public setting for over ten years, Samirel notes that many people don’t even notice his depigmentation — his personality often outshines his appearance.

However, he admits that the impact of vitiligo can vary depending on gender. "For women, it can create more insecurities," he explains, while emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance. He mentions the example of a woman in his family whose advanced vitiligo caused psychological suffering. For him, it’s the opposite: "I have a natural tattoo."

Today, Samirel advocates for education and awareness around vitiligo. He encourages those affected to seek information, study the condition to better understand it, and most importantly, to learn to live with it. "Studying helps build confidence. You have to live with it and be comfortable in your own skin."

Through his testimony, Samirel Gandourri embodies the quiet strength of a man who turned a visible difference into a source of resilience. His message is clear: vitiligo does not define the person — it’s the attitude toward it that shapes identity.