It wasnt that big, so she wasnt concerned.
However, as she entered her teen years, more started to appear, and they were getting larger.
Heres her story, as told to journalist Julia Craven.
Gracia Lam
The only people who really knew were my mom and my grandparents.
It was a secret Id kept for a long time.
I was always shy and bullied down bad.
Imani Futrell
Dont get me wrong, I love being Black.
I love my beauty.
I love who I am now, and Ive embraced it.
I remember having one nodule in my groin area, and this guy asked, Whats that again?
I just played it off.
I was like, Oh my goodness, this is just a hair bump.
I also tried to hide it.
Im just thinking, Oh my God, what are they going to say?
Some of those relationships wouldn’t last long enough for me to get into it.
But I’ve always had to be aware of it, which kind of messed me up in dating.
I thought that because I had HS, I somehow wasnt as good as other girls.
I feel like its a bit easier now that Im more comfortable with myself.
But it still is hard to this daymeaning, just dating in general while worrying about my hidradenitis.
I feel like a lot of people will never understand until they see it firsthand.
I’m always cautious about the smell.
It pains me to see my skin that way.
These are things that are on my mind.
A lot of people think its an STI or something you could catch, even though you cant.
Ive seen things like that online: Oh my goodness, that looks so contagious.
Stay away from me.
So I have to be conscious of that when I go out on a date.
Then you feel like you have to keep making up excuses.
I am currently single.
I love my independence and freedom but it can definitely take a toll on me at times.
I’m like, Is there anybody out there who can handle this?
I want to share my condition with a partner and be comfortable and myself in front of them.
I used to do dating apps.
It was a bit easier, given that I could talk about my condition from behind a screen.
Now I hope to meet someone the organic way or in person.
I usually never tell anyone untilafterIve made a connection but I wanted to be straightforward about it.
I got stood up for the date that we had planned.
However, I know Ill meet someone soon, and I know it will honestly be worth the wait.
Because when I meet him, its going to be an experience and bond that I will treasure.
Do not ever let anyone take you out of your comfort zone.
You will know when the time is rightalways trust your gut.
You dont have to do anything to prove yourself either.
I used to always put other people first.
The dating scene is tough in general, so be patient and kind to yourself.
I know it is hard to have HS, but that doesnt make you less of a person.
Nobody is perfect; nobody is better than anybody.
Differences are what make us special and unique.
Dont ever let this condition stop you from living your best life while dating.
My followers, friends, familyeverybody who’s encouraged mehelp boost that feeling.
But when I see those messages?
It makes a big difference
I didnt have that growing up.
There are a lot of people who aren’t educated about HS.
So I feel like when I speak my truth on it, it helps spread awareness.
I wake up every day knowing I have this condition, but Im able to keep pushing.
