I totally suck at drawing on eyebrows - one is always thicker than the other, one is higher than the other, one is longer, or one is ridiculously stubby, etc. Most days I just don't bother, but for some reason I decided I cared this morning. Fast-forward to this afternoon at Macy's with Nan-naw (my grandmother). We are walking around and seem to be going in aimless circles attempting to find the intimates department and I keep noticing these really weird looks. Normally I love "wigging" people… Continue

As today marks the first day of the new year I thought I would continue with a New Year tradition - the making of a New Year resolution. In the past I have not kept my resolutions and I think that the lack of reasonability is to blame. My cure this year is to make one that I am actually capable of keeping. I resolve to teach all that I come in contact with in the New Year about Alopecia Areata. My goal is to change the stigma that a bald woman is either crazy or has cancer. I want to use my… Continue

I firmly believed I had reached a place of genuine acceptance. A place where it was no longer "Why me? Who is this foreign creature staring at me in the mirror?" but "I am beautiful and I am the same Val that I was with hair". Yesterday evening shattered this impression. I was at Bible Study at church, a place I had not gone in a while. I kept making excuses that really covered up how embarrassed I was and the fact that I did not love the new Val. Last night I decided it was long past time to… Continue

Today I wore Flo, my wig, and we had a blast!

I was so excited that those who did not know what I have been going through did not know that she was a wig. That really boosted my confidence today.

However, that does not hold a candle to the compliment I received today. I am really open about the AA. If anyone asks why I have on a hat I tell them that I have AA. Pretty quickly all the little old men and ladies at the retirement community where I work knew and most were really… Continue

Since it's Thanksgiving I decided that giving thanks was in order. I have so much to be thankful for!

- my wonderful family that has been by my side and helped me so much. Specifically my mom who has listened to me cry and shaved my head when I asked her to.

- the opportunity I have to go to college. I am so happy that I live in a country that allows me to pursue my education and allows me to do and become anything that I want.

- this wonderful country - I can't even imagine… Continue