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Mom of 12 year-old girl with alopecia in Mississauga
Hi,
I am the mom of a wonderful 12 year-old daughter who was diagnosed this past Christmas with Alopecia Areata. It has now been 6 months and she is almost Totalis. She is handling it remarkably well but is still very secretive about it and won't let anyone see her head outside if our immediate family. I was hoping to chat with other parents that have girls of a similar age going through this. It doesn't have to be people living in my area although that would be a bonus.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by michelle on
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You may want to contact the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation (CAANAF). They offer support groups for all ages. Currently their groups run out of North York (Toronto). I live and have my private practice (clinical social work) in south Mississauga.....and have Alopecia Universalis.
Feel free to 'friend' me so we can talk further.
Michelle
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Krahn on
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I agree with Michelle. CANAAF has wonderful support for all ages and often has various gatherings for teens and kids. In fact we just had one last weekend in Toronto which was amazing! You can visit their website at www.canaaf.org.
Warm Wishes,
Jenn Krahn
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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on
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Hi
My daughter was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with alopecia...she is now 23 years old. I think I may understand how you both may be feeling. This is not an easy condition to navigate, but I want to pass on to you that it is very doable.
It really isn't unusual for your daughter to be secretive around this condition. I know for my daughter to show her head at that age was similar to exposing her most personal self. The choice to do that is a very personal one and I feel has do be done through personal empowerment (they takes time and emotional growth). Not all who have alopecia want to be seen without their hair. Some are very happy to not wear hair and I personally support any choice that makes the person dealing with alopecia comfortable. Your daughter and you will work out what is best for her. This may also change as she grows.
My daughter prefers to wear hair...this is how she explains that choice to me:
She never asked to have no hair. She didn't put up her hand and say pick-me....so she prefers to present herself with hair. Not because she is ashamed or unempowered, but for just the opposite. She has a choice and choice she chooses is to wear hair. Sometimes (now that she is 23 years old) she will choose not to wear her hair...it just depends on her needs and wants at the time.
Through the years that we have been dealing with this, my biggest want was for my daughter to be empowered and supported with any decision she made. This meant communication was imperative. I had my own set of wants and needs (as I'm mum-and when she was 12 she couldn't fully see ramifications of choices). I felt my job was to be the information provider. Some of the information I passed on was very unpalateable for me and her, but it had to be worked through to a point where she felt safe, strong and empowered.
Even at 23 years old alopecia still is a part of her life that requires management of some sort. She is now a Chemistry teacher at an 'All Boys' school. She is open and confident around her alopecia (she choices to wear many different styled wigs/hair - so her wigs are not to hide this condition). She talks about it when and if needed. I think for her she does not want to be only known for her lack of hair....she is so much more. Her hairloss is never denied but it never takes centre stage either. This has worked for our family. You may find a different approach will work for yours, but know that you and your daughter will find the way that suits you.
Rosy
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wow so impressed with your daughter and best of luck how about trying headwraps or this adorable hat. Best of luck
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princess-terry-hat-for-kids.jpg, 153 KB
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