Why I wrote Nyah's Magic Skin: a parent's perspective on ezcema, visible differences and children’s mental health
Guest blog by parent and author, Brandi Campbell
At Kids Inspire, we regularly see how low self-esteem can affect a child's emotional wellbeing. In fact, it was one of the most common challenges experienced by the children and young people referred to us in the past year.
Experiences that affect how children see themselves, including living with a visible difference, can have a significant impact on confidence, identity and mental healt. Understanding, representation and emotional support can play an important role in helping children develop self-acceptance.
In this guest blog, parent and author Brandi shares her family's experience of living with eczema and why she wrote the children's book, Nyah's Magic Skin.
Our journey with eczema and visible difference
My daughter Nyah is six years old and a twin. Around three years ago, what started as a small patch of eczema quickly spread all over her body. Within a few months, she was covered from head to toe.
Her eczema became so severe that it affected her mobility and experience of starting primary school. At just four years old, she needed a walking stick or wheelchair, and much of her early childhood was shaped by living with a chronic illness.
But while the physical impact was significant, it was only part of the story.
The impact nobody could see
In my eyes, the impact on Nyah's mental health was the hardest part.
Nyah faced bullying at school because of her visible difference. She lost her confidence and self-esteem, became afraid to go out in public and would even ask for the mirrors in our home to be covered because she couldn't bear to look at herself.
Her eczema changed the way she valued herself. It affected her confidence, her personality, her behaviour and, at times, even her smile.
Her emotional wellbeing hit rock bottom, a space you would never want any child to be in.
Why emotional wellbeing matters
“When adults take the time to understand a child’s experiences and look beyond the visible symptoms, it can make a huge difference to how supported and understood they feel. Too often, that emotional impact isn’t recognised or supported early enough.”
Our experience was often centred on the physical side of eczema. We really struggled to find support for the impact it was having on Nyah's mental health.
One thing this journey has taught me is that eczema is more than skin deep. What people see on the outside is only a small part of a child's story. Even when physical symptoms improve, the emotional impact can remain.
Why I wrote Nyah's Magic Skin
This is what inspired me to write Nyah's Magic Skin.
Originally, the book was just for Nyah.
I didn't want her to believe she would only be enough once her skin cleared, or when she found some magic cream that made everything better. I wanted her to know she was enough exactly as she was, flare and all.
I wanted her to see someone who looked like her. A child with eczema who was smiling, happy and enjoying life. I also wanted to show how eczema can look on different skin tones and provide representation for black children and families.
Building empathy and understanding
Now, the book has become a safe space for children with visible differences, as well as one where children without a visible difference can learn, understand and develop empathy.
As I began sharing our journey online, I realised just how many other families needed this message too.
It became bigger than a book. It became a community and a space where families could feel less alone.
Watching Nyah embrace her story and help other children feel understood has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Why representation matters
We rarely see children with eczema represented in storybooks, television programmes or everyday media. Yet when children don't see themselves reflected in the world around them, it can reinforce the feeling that they are different or don't belong.
I truly believe representation plays a huge part in changing attitudes. If children regularly saw eczema and other visible differences in books, classrooms and on television, perhaps they wouldn't see them as something unusual or something to question.
Instead of staring or excluding another child, they might simply recognise it and think, “Oh, that’s eczema. Just like Nyah’s magic skin.”
A message for every child living with a visible difference:
“You are enough, exactly as you are. You don’t need to change, hide or wait for things to get better before you feel worthy of stepping into the light. You deserve to be seen and celebrated.”
And, as Nyah says herself:
“Remember you are STRONG, POWERFUL and JUST LIKE ME.”
Brandi's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of looking beyond what we see on the surface, taking time to understand each child's unique experiences, and recognising the feelings that can sit beneath them.
Through our trauma-responsive approach, we look beyond behaviours and challenges to understand what a child may be experiencing and how best to support them.
If you're based in Essex or Suffolk, and are worried about a child's mental health, we're here to help. Find out more about our services and reach out using our Contact Us form.
Other helpful resources
Throughout their journey, Brandi and her family found support and information from:
Brandi’s book Nyah’s Magic Skin is available to purchase.