Hi I’m in UK, and we get a little help with our wigs if we suffer from Alopecia, unfortunately to use that allowance we can only pick from a limited choice. For the last 5/6yrs my local "wig lady" was in a small hairdresser, so you went in with or without your wig, your choice, and you went through to the rear of the shop, to be welcomed by a wonderful lady who made you feel at home, safe and comfortable. going through to the rear, nobody knew you wore a wig. She knew all of her clients and was very knowledgeable.
This year she has lost the "contract" and a new company has taken over, based 200 miles away, it has a hair clinic, within in the oncology unit of my local main hospital. I was very shocked when I rang to make an appointment to find that it was within this unit. I am very thankful that my baldness is due to alopecia and not to chemo treatment. But I’m not comfortable at the prospect of going into the oncology department.
Now I know that may sound to some a bit like everything we are objecting to with assuming people make about us.
I am wondering what is the procedure the rest of you go through, is it a private salon, hospital, specialist wig shop? It will be interesting to hear.
I am going this afternoon to my "new" supplier, and will report back as to how things go. Meanwhile, get writing !!!!!
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Well I am happy to say, my appointment was brilliant. The worry I had about changing from what I was used to was unfounded. The appoointment was in the Macmillian Centre, which for those of you that are not in the UK is "Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer " its a relaxed enviorment, with lovely people.
The lady I met was great, the first thing she said was, I too have alopecia. My thoughts were great, somebody who understands.
It has been 18mth since I have had wigs on the NHS, and boy the rules have changed. The amount they allow you on each wig has doubled, and they have scrapped the rule of only being able to choose from a small selection. Also if I wanted a wig of a higher cost, I can now pay the difference, which was not allowed previously. Wonderful.
So it has been a good experiance, which for a alopecia sufferer and red tap, is rare. Does this mean, alopecia sufferers in the UK, are atarting to be treated with respect.
So I stand corrected, I should take my own advice.................. and not judge before trying !