Polka Dot Mommy – written by Maria Teresa Cancio-Suplico and illustrated by Marie Christine Sipin – puts the proverbial spotlight on the disease known as psoriasis, a skin problem characterized by patients having scaly patches on the skin called papules. The story was based on the experience of the author who used to suffer from psoriasis herself several years ago.
"I got German measles, which spread the psoriasis all over my body," Suplico relates. "When my daughter, Joanna, saw me she asked, ‘Bakit ganyan ang hitsura mo, Mommy?’ I told her they were just polka dots. Our dog, a Dalmatian, sat beside me, and Joanna started drawing. She drew me with polka dots all over my body and called me her ‘polka-dotted mommy.’ That was when I decided to impart my experience with psoriasis in a book to let people know more about the disease. So they would not be scared," Suplico says.
She adds that she felt terrible during her bout with psoriasis, depressed even. After undergoing medical treatment for six months, Suplico saw the spots disappear one by one from her body: she was able to conquer the disease. Polka Dot Mommy is her way to help raise awareness about psoriasis.
"I wrote the book in such a way that it will appeal to children. So that the children will be the ones to tell their parents, ‘Hey, there’s nothing wrong with psoriasis.’ I want children to be able to impart that message. As people learn more about it, they won’t get horrified."
Christine Sipin agrees. She says Polka Dot Mommy is a book with a heartfelt goal of helping people with the disease.
"Maritess wrote this personal story of hers in a poignant, free-verse way that is suited for children so even kids will get to understand what kind of disease this is."
According to Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell, there are a lot of books about the disease but this is the first time a layman wrote something for other laymen to help them understand what psoriasis is all about.
"I’m very pleased that there is somebody like Tess Suplico who thought of something like this. Patients who have heard about the book are very happy because it speaks for them on their behalf. Right now, we have established psoriasis support groups all over the country – in Davao, in Cebu, in La Union. We still want to disseminate information to more and more people what psoriasis is. It is not contagious nor infectious. You can have polka dots that make you look like a polka dot mommy, but it’s just like having acne."
Some very excited readers attended the launching of the book at Goodwill Bookstore in Glorietta. Kids who showed up and had their copies signed by the author included Claire Jennings, Paolo Yabyabin, Mark Anthony Pangilinan, Jerry Jake Pangilinan, April de Torres, JB Bautista, Peter Josemaria Manabat, Rick Manabat, Rachel Rose Manabat, Gerryneth Pangilinan Ramos, Tommy Suplico and Joanna Suplico.