Jasmine IVANNA Espy stands as a testament to resilience and advocacy. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, a journey from pain and isolation to empowerment and leadership. Diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) in the sixth grade, Espy faced a condition that not only caused her physical pain but also emotional turmoil.
“I had a lot of trauma that I experienced that kept me from being able to be a child, instead of being able to go out and experience life as a young teen or a teenage girl, I was cleaning up puss off the walls and bandaging myself up,” Espy shared. HS is a chronic skin condition that blocks hair follicles, resulting in recurring abscesses, cysts, and nodules. It disproportionately affects people of color, particularly Black and biracial individuals. Despite its prevalence, HS often remains underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with many patients waiting up to seven years for proper treatment.
Espy’s battle with HS was fraught with challenges. From the onset of her symptoms, she experienced not only the physical agony of the disease but also the psychological burden it carried. The pain and discomfort led to feelings of depression and isolation, exacerbated by the lack of understanding and support from those around her. This journey through darkness was not uncommon among Black individuals with HS. Studies show that Black people with HS are more likely to suffer from severe cases and face longer delays in diagnosis compared to their white counterparts.
“Advocating for this condition really started in 2017 for me,” shared Espy. “And I was looking for a way to begin healing from my own traumatic journey dealing with HS. And I was seeing a therapist at the time. Her name is Doctor Erin Martinez. And I always give her a shout out because she saved my life, you know, especially when it comes to mental health. Because one of the biggest battles that we deal with as patients, but sometimes rarely talk about is the mental health burden that we experience dealing with this condition. And so just a trigger warning. During this time, I was very, very suicidal.”
Despite the hurdles, Jasmine refused to let HS define her. She embarked on a path of self-advocacy, determined to find answers and seek the support she needed. Her perseverance led her to become not just a survivor but a beacon of hope for others facing similar struggles. Jasmine’s experiences ignited a passion within her to advocate for better understanding and treatment of HS, particularly within communities of color.
Espy said that it was her therapist that was the spark behind her fiery dedication in advocating for those in the midst of this disease, Espy shared the words of enlightenment from her therapist, “One day you may come to the place where you’re healed, or you might not even be fully healed, but you might have the boldness to tell your story and help other people to tell their stories. And so I didn’t know what that was going to turn into. And when she said something, there was this light that went off inside of me.”
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jasmine observed an alarming trend: misinformation about HS was spreading rampantly online. She realized that there was a critical need for accurate, accessible information about the disease. Fueled by her desire to make a difference, Jasmine founded the Association of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Inflammatory Diseases (AHSID). The organization’s mission is clear: to provide a platform for patients, caregivers, and supporters to explore current medical research and engage with the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of living with HS.
“Experiencing HS as a preteen was of the most difficult things I had ever experienced,” Espy shared. “I was already dealing with other conditions because by middle school, I wasn’t healthy. I was almost 300 pounds, or over 300 pounds at that time. And I was just dealing with prediabetes and all these other health conditions. So HS was like the nail in the coffin for me. It really weighed me down and really affected how I saw myself and it affected how I showed up in my life. at the time I was very vivacious individual, and I became very recluse. I lost my voice and my ability to speak up for myself and I felt like I didn’t matter. And so imagine feeling that at 13.”
AHSID’s impact was highlighted during its first in-person summit, the “I Reclaim__ Summit,” held from June 6 to June 8 at College of Creative Studies (CCS). This groundbreaking event offered a safe space for individuals affected by HS to come together, share their stories, and learn from experts. It was a testament to Jasmine’s vision of creating a community where people could reclaim their narratives and identities.
The summit was more than just a conference; it was a revolution in patient advocacy. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with leading dermatologists, mental health professionals, and patient advocates, gaining valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of HS. The event underscored the importance of addressing not only the physical symptoms of HS but also the emotional and psychological toll it takes on patients.
“When I started telling my story, I did not know that it would turn into me running a whole nonprofit,’ said Espy. “I was just really showing up and doing what I felt like God was telling me to do and surrendering to the process, no matter how difficult, how dark it got. I was just like, you know what? I trust what is happening in my life right now. And so as time went on my advocacy efforts, telling my story came into creating safe spaces for people living with HS to tell their stories and to exist, to be able to get educated and to get viable resources that they can use from, the moment that they need us to throughout their journey living with HS.”
You see, Espy’s dedication to her cause extends beyond the summit. She is a relentless advocate for those living with HS, working tirelessly to raise awareness and promote better understanding of the disease. Her efforts have been amplified by the power of social media, where platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have become vital tools in spreading awareness. These platforms have allowed her to connect with a broader audience, providing support and information to those who need it most.
The statistics are stark: Black individuals with HS face significant challenges in receiving timely and accurate diagnoses. This disparity highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and better healthcare practices. Espy’s work with AHSID is a crucial step towards bridging this gap, ensuring that no one has to endure the same struggles she did.
Espy’s story is one of rebirth and transformation. From her early experiences of suicidal thoughts and despair, as she is in her third decade of life, she has emerged as a powerful advocate and leader. Her journey is a beacon of hope, illustrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Through her work, she has shown that it is possible to turn pain into purpose, to transform personal suffering into a force for positive change.
The “I Reclaim__ Summit” is a pivotal moment in Espy’s advocacy, but it is only the beginning. Her vision for AHSID is expansive, encompassing a future where HS is no longer a hidden struggle but a well-understood and treated condition. Her story is a call to action for all of us to stand up, speak out, and support those living with HS.
In Jasmine’s own words, “We are here to reclaim our power, our stories, and our lives. Together, we can create a future where HS is no longer a hidden struggle but a well-understood and treated condition. Our journey continues, and we invite everyone to join us in making a lasting impact.”
Jasmine IVANNA Espy is not just a survivor of HS; she is a warrior, a leader, and an inspiration. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to reclaim our narratives and make a difference. Through her work with AHSID, Jasmine is transforming the landscape of HS advocacy, one story at a time.
About Post Author
