Being diagnosed with a disorder like vitiligo could be viewed as a death sentence for a television reporter in the cutthroat field where appearance frequently matters greatly. But for the tenacious anchor of WJBK Fox 2 News, Lee Thomas, it served as a spark that propelled him to even greater success.
In Kentucky, Lee’s battle with vitiligo started when he was 25 years old, after a normal haircut. It was written off as a barber’s error at first, but it quickly revealed itself as a light-colored area on his head. Though worried, Lee’s mother dismissed worries, saying it was just stress-related and that comfort soon wore off as additional white patches appeared on his face and hands.
Taking control of his own fate, Lee went to a doctor a year later while working in New York City as an entertainment feature reporter for WABC. He was diagnosed with vitiligo, a disorder for which there is no treatment, and it was predicted that his skin will change color. When faced with possible employment instability, Lee briefly considered his options and considered the flexibility of his communications degree.
But thinking back on the significant help he had from teachers and mentors along the way prevented him from giving up on his goals. Lee became aware of the contributions people had made to his achievement, from a junior high school teacher who steered him toward the drama and debate club to a college professor who helped him obtain financial aid.
Over the ensuing years, Lee overcame periods of self-doubt by deftly using makeup to hide his ailment. His sister in particular became a rock of support, telling him to put his job first rather than worrying about the hue of his skin changing.
By adopting a resilient mindset, Lee’s career progressed, culminating in a notable position as an entertainment anchor and reporter at Detroit’s WJBK Fox 2. Even though Lee had kept his vitiligo a secret for a while, the condition eventually became apparent on his hands, forcing him to make a big choice.
Lee made the audacious decision to stop covering his hands and opt for authenticity above concealment. Lee stresses that the narrative in his work are what matter, not his looks, even if he still applies cosmetics to his face for practical purposes.
What might have been a career obstacle for Lee took an unexpected turn that turned his triumphant journey into a launching pad for success. Now a global champion for vitiligo, Lee participates actively in Detroit support groups, motivating people all around the world with his powerful experience, which he has shared on television and in his 2007 memoir, “Turning White: A Memoir of Change.”
Lee’s personal journey has not only helped him become the man he always wanted to be, but it has also become a story that goes beyond the confines of journalism, demonstrating the enormous power of perseverance and genuineness in a world where vitiligo is accepted as the standard.
