Chaquira Andrade Story
My name is Chaquira Andrade. I’m a 29-year-old female born in Hartford Connecticut, raised in New York, and currently living in Harlem, NY. I’ve worked as a social worker for the NY Department of Homelessness for the past seven years. I’m passionate about social work and the work I get to do.
I've always dreamed of being a motivational speaker – long before getting diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and finding IDEOM. Now, having this platform as a young role model in New York feels like such an incredible opportunity.
Growing up in and out of shelters has fueled my desire to help others facing similar hardships. My hope is that by using my voice and experiences, I can inspire young people struggling with challenges at home or dealing with their own issues.
I was raised by my mom and grandma, which shaped who I am today. My mom had me at just 15 years old, and my grandma was there for every step of the way. She was truly the glue that held our family together. As a kid, I didn’t fully understand why my mom had her moments of absence or why she struggled sometimes. But now that I'm older, it makes sense—being a mother doesn’t come with a manual.
My grandma had the wisdom and experience to know how important it was to do things differently this time around. She taught me everything from cooking and cleaning to the importance of finishing school and striving to be the best version of myself. After witnessing my mom’s struggles, I made it a point to break generational cycles and create a better path for myself. I’m proud to say that I'm the first in my family to graduate college! Now I have a professional job, all while managing my chronic skin disease. My life is definitely something worth celebrating.
One of the highlights of my life is sharing my journey with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with other dermatologists and patients. After suffering for 14 years without answers, it felt amazing to finally be properly diagnosed and begin treatment four years ago. Standing here as a proud Hispanic woman, sharing my story, was something I always looked forward achieving after being silent for so long.
It wasn't until I understood my skin condition better that I realized it wasn't my fault. After getting the right diagnosis and starting treatment, my confidence has grown greatly. I can now wear any color and feel great in tank tops and short sleeves. Thanks to surgery, my leakage is minimal, and the tunneling issues have been sorted out, so I don't have to stress about odor or constantly reapply deodorant.
The best part is that my flare-ups have drastically improved, and I haven't developed any new tracks that could lead to tunneling or abscesses. My pain levels have dropped to almost nothing, allowing me to enjoy life and accomplish things I once thought were impossible. I am in remission. I can now sit at my desk for longer without worrying about new abscesses, and I feel confident wearing shorts and shirts without fear of leakage. A big win for me has been lifting my arms to do everyday tasks like brushing my hair or baking. I feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin, with reduced itching and odor, and I can manage daily activities much better than before, when my chronic skin condition was not controlled. In 5 years, I see myself transformed significantly, and my wounds healing well.
This journey allows me to educate others in the field about HS and how it affects people's lives. My goals in joining IDEOM’s Board include helping doctors better understand what many patients go through, especially those who might be misdiagnosed or unaware of treatment options.
It’s all about raising awareness around conditions like HS so that people can receive proper diagnoses and treatment, helping them live independent lives without further complications. I also want to show others who may be struggling like I was what is possible. What receiving the right care can do for them.
Making connections with the HS community and dermatologists who were genuinely interested in learning about my skin disease has filled me with so much hope. It is very empowering to share my journey and show them how far I've come. For once, I feel understood, heard, and supported as a patient.