Comment by Rachel on March 12, 2009 at 12:00am

Hey Meme! I don't know much about freedom wigs, so I can't help you there. But, I know that the freedom wigs aren't the only option. There is a salon in Arlington Heights, IL called "Hair for you Salon". They are a regular hair salon - but they actually specialize in wigs. She sees alot of women with alopecia and cancer who need wigs. The owner is named Linda and she is amazing!! I have gotten 2 really nice wigs from her. Once synthetic and one human hair. No one can tell that either are a wig. I get compliments from strangers everytime that I wear either one. I have also taken wigs to her that I have bought other places. She takes each wig and custom tailors it to my head (for really cheap - free if you buy the wig there). Basically, she cuts parts out and sews the whole thing back together again so its really snug and fits my head perfectly. I have a really small head and was having a hard time finding wigs that fit until I met her. I am currently living in Galveston, TX where it is really windy (right on the coast). I have never doubted that the wigs will stay on my head even when its really windy. I would have no trouble running in them and worrying about if they would shift. They are really secure on your head because they are custom fit to you. If you want to get a synthetic or human hair wig instead (or in the mean time) of the Freedom wig - I would DEFINITELY recommend her. I wrote a blog about it and her website is http://www.salonhairforyou.com/index.html Just some other options for you to consider.

Comment by Rose Marie' on March 12, 2009 at 1:02am

Hi

I really think this is a terribly emotional issue for anyone thinking to take away the last of their hair. There are many reasons that people decide to do this and it is extremely personal. There are lots of ladies here that have taken away their hair and this has been a very liberating course of action. I believe that all came to this decision after a lot of thought. When I read your blog, it seemed that possibly your hair is controlling a lot of what you do and maybe you think and worry about it a lot. You have to weigh up what is the best thing to do so you can move on with your life and make some positive steps that can help you do this. I believe your family and some of the ladies and men here will be able to pass on their experience with this decision and maybe help you get it into perspective for yourself so you can make the decision that makes you feel good. Whatever that may be.

Libby my daughter with the help of those that loved her and those that had experience of this condition, made this decision when she was 12 years old. For her it was a very liberating, empowering decision. She started to feel a little like she could make decisions that helped her deal with this condition. She was no longer at the mercy of the uncontrollable. She has gone on to wear a Freedom Wig for the last six years and it has been a good decision for her and her life.

I wish you well with working out what you want to do and am sending you a big hug as I know it can be very confusing and frightening.

Rosy

Comment by Meme on March 12, 2009 at 5:16pm

Thank for taking the time to write back. Thanks for that great idea Rachel, ill look into it. I really want the freedom wig, so i think that wig would be a great wig in the mean time while im waiting for my freedom wig.
Thank you Rosy for your comment. My hair is kind of controlling my life right now. I guess highschool just makes everything so much harder than it really should be. Im really looking into the freedom wig. I think that it would help me alot.

Comment by Dielle on March 16, 2009 at 1:19am

I have been where you are right now, and all I can say is to do what makes you feel the most comfortable. You might actually be able to get exempt from P.E if you get your parents to talk to the principle and your counselor. I got exempt because I didn't feel comfortable wearing a wig and having to try and change in the locker room, and with the hairloss you have you could too. It might take a little bit of persuasion on the part of your parents because schools can be a little stuborn, but nothing too serious. That way you can decide whether you want to shave it all off and get a wig or continue to be clever with hiding it. Either way that is an option. Especially if you state has a virtual school. I did online P.E in 10th grade where they sent me a heart rate moniter and a watch that would keep track of my workouts and heart rate. They also gave me a workout schedule, and gave lessons about nutrition and exercising. It was totally online and I didn't have to do it at school, I got to do it at home after school so that is another option to fill the P.E requirement. Personally I decided to wear a wig in highschool because I only wore a hat in middle school even when my hair was almost completely gone. It made me feel a lot more comfortable so it may be the option for you! At the moment I am considering going without anything on my head during the summer once school gets out because this is my last year of high school and then just wear a wig in college. Best of luck, and if you need someone to talk to send me a message!

Comment by Dielle on March 16, 2009 at 1:22am

You could also get your parents to make the school let your wear hats if you just wanted to get a bunch of really cute hats! Thats what my parents did in middle school. I feel for ya cause high school kinda sucks when you have to deal with this, but just remember to have as much fun with high school as you can because at the end of the day the people that might tease you are losers and you deserve to have just as good a time as everyone else. If you want to do sports but decide not to get a wig, then wear a bandana. They can be tied in a way so that they aren't open in the back, and they are legal in all sports because they aren't hard and won't hurt anyone else.

Comment by Meme on March 16, 2009 at 5:13pm

Hi Dielle!
Thanks so much for all of that! Its really interesting what you did for PE. Its kind of cool. I think that PE is the hardest time for me to have alopecia becuase i really want to have fun and fun around not having to worry about my hair. I bought a really cute bandana the other day so im thinking about using that if i loose more hair.
Thanks for your reply (it made me feel better)
Meme

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