Adults who have grown up with alopecia

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Comment by Joseph Giallombardo on September 4, 2008 at 10:17pm

I have had alopecia since i was 4 years old. I am now 20, and I have gotten all my hair back, then lost it, then got it back, now its kinda iffy, um I used to wear hats all the time cuz I was uncomfortable without one. But I have alot of supportive friends and family members and because of that I actually leave my hat off most of the time, not in Pictures tho lol

Comment by Carmen Mbiti on September 4, 2008 at 1:17pm

I have grown up with alopecia. I lost my hair when I was 3. It was difficult especially as a child in school. I believe I may have been the only one in the small county where I lived. I tried very hard to hide it. When I moved away from my hometown and met many people who wore hair pieces and weave, etc... for cosmetic reasons, I felt so much more comfortable talking about it. I'm encouraged by those who have no concern of looks from other people and have a comfort in going out without a head covering and revealing their true self, but I am not that person.
I never wear my hairpiece when I am in my house, but I leave the curtains closed and am very private about it. If someone comes to the door (especially unannounced) I jump and run to find my hairpiece.
I have a 7 yr old who is now in 2nd grade. When her friends come over to stay the night, it is uncomfortable for me because I want to have my hair off, but I don't want my daughter's friends to think she is a freak or that her mom is a freak. I know that kids can be very cruel from my own experience. But I want to develop a healthy comfortable ability for my daughter to deal with my condition concerning her friends. I feel like hiding is not the best way to accomplish this but it is in my nature. Any suggestions? Comments?

Comment by Steve on August 22, 2008 at 12:15pm

How long? 50 years even!

Comment by sgomez on August 14, 2008 at 1:47am

Renee, I did the same thing last year when we visted San Diego!! I still felt kind of self-conscience, but I did it! I even walked around the little shops, too. My husband was also a great encouragemnt to me, and tells me I'm beautiful all the time.

Since March, I have been going to they gym, and have been wearing a bandana. I thought it was going to be sooo hard, but I made myself do it anyways. I hated the idea of getting my wig all sweaty and smelly. The first couple of times were kinda rocky. I did notice some stares, and some immature poeple, but I didn't let it deter me from my goal. Now I am quit comfortable, and I love working out!! I have even met some really nice poeple. One lady even asked me how I lost my hair. Of course I was happy to tell her, and I thanked her for asking. I don't know if I will ever be ready to go out in public bald. I just can't see myself doing that. But at home I'm always bald. That's good enough for me. I'm happy w/ my life, and since the age of five have been taking baby steps. So maybe by the time I'm 60 I will be ready! lol! Thanks Carol, for your encouragement! and

Laren, I can totally relate! I just can't shake that 'naked' feeling I get when I don't have my wig on. It even took me a while to get used to not wearing my wig at home. Now there are days when I don't even put it on. I think my decorative kitchen rooster gets more wear out of my wig than I do! lol! Like Carol said, baby steps......

Comment by Carol on July 25, 2008 at 12:33pm

Way to go Renee!!! Baby steps Lauren!!
I started in my back yard. A comfy place for me that was still private but out of the house and just kept going a little further each time. I was waiting for a heart attack the first time I actually went away from my home and later felt that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I also needed a new wig badly and couldn't afford a new one so I didn't have much of a choice either. Good luck.

Comment by Lauren on July 24, 2008 at 8:47pm

Hey everyone. I have has AU since I was 5. I still don't have the courage to take my wig off in public!! How do you guys do it?!?

Comment by RENEE on July 24, 2008 at 7:38pm

I am 32 and for the first time ever I went out in public without my hair. I have always been afraid to do so, but thanks to all of you and your stories and a really supportive husband who tells me every day that I am beautiful, I think I am reaching a new point in my life journey with alopecia. I went on the beach with just a bandana and hat, and I felt really comfortable. Thank you everyone for all you share and by sharing helping me grow and cope.

Comment by Carol on July 16, 2008 at 11:12am

I have no hair
I don't care
I am happy
To be me!

Comment by Julia on July 10, 2008 at 11:01pm

...for the Book

OK...I need something else from you Beautiful people...

Are there any Poets in the house? I need for you to think of Inspiration...and Uplifting someone elses fallen spirit.

There is no limit on the length of the poem, I just ask that you put your emotions into every word.

Deadline 7/16...email it to bbibby_org@yahoo.com and I will email a release form to you. Make sure that it's YOUR work!

Take Care,

Julia

Comment by willow on July 8, 2008 at 11:31am

Hi all,Like Lori D, I'm in awe with all of you. Our stories are so similar. I look at your beautiful bald heads, and you know, if you lined us all up, our features are all so similar too. My husband noticed that first with, Carol, and he's right. She looks like me, or I look like her. Maybe for fun, we should all take a face pic, and have a game, name that pic?
Reading your lifes experiences, touches me, I can relate. My childhood was filled with horror, and yes dating was tramatic. My young adulthood no better, as I started losing jobs over the wig issue. yes thats illegal, but it happens, and its about how strong are you to fight them.
Accepting and loving yourself is first and foremost.
Now, over the last few years, I have other medical issues that take presidence over the bald thing. The traumatic history, I hope makes us stronger willed.

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