Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cindy (Duncan's Mom) on May 4, 2009 at 7:37pm

Hi Angie!

My little guy was about 18 mos old when his hairloss began. We also have an older child (2 1/2 years older). We had been trying to decide on a Christian school vs. public school for Caden. Our dermatologist at one of Duncan's appointments made a comment that she would recommend having Duncan in a small school, preferably one that would go through high school where everyone would know Duncan and be understanding (so he can have a firm foundation/self esteem). So, our older son has been in a wonderful Christian school and Duncan will start there in the fall. A lot of the older kids and teachers know Duncan from his attendance at school functions. The school is open to working with us on allowing him to where a hat, etc. We feel like it is an atmosphere where he can be reminded that he is beautifully and wonderfully made! Also, if the kids did make fun of him that the teachers would not hesitate to let them know that does not make Duncan feel good (which is not pleasing to God). Good luck in the decision process -- I will keep you in my prayers! Cindy :-)

Permalink Reply by Angie, Gracie's mom on May 6, 2009 at 4:36pm

Cindy, thank you for the valuable insight, and prayers are always welcome. I will keep you all in my thoughts as well. I had spoke to a close friend of mine who discouraged private school, thinking the rich kids would be more mean--we do have a wealthy catholic hs in our area that I don't think is primarily catholic kids, but rather wealthy kids there for the great education, but I think she was surprised at this point of view, and agrees--it already made sense to me. Now I have to approach my husband again, who doesn't want to "hide her away" and give it some more thought, and see what happens w/ her hair in the coming months, as this is all new to us still. Angie

Permalink Reply by Cindy (Duncan's Mom) on May 7, 2009 at 4:19pm

Angie, I am glad that it was helpful. I do think you have to find the right private school -- there are some in our area that would probably be the same way (full of the rich kids), but I do think the values that are taught in the school would still be there that you wouldn't get in the public school. I don't feel like I am "hiding" my child at all. I feel that I am giving him a safe, loving environment where he can be him and gain a confidence in who he is that I don't think he could get elsewhere. He currently decides if and when he wants to wear a hat and at this point is very confident about who he is (even going bald). We have actually been using Protopic to try to regrow hair. About a year ago, he had lots of hair growing and I thought "is it really the medicine?" So, we stopped the medicine and all of his hair fell out again. I started using the Protopic again. Just a couple of weeks ago Duncan told me he was tired of the medicine and didn't want to do it. I asked if he just didn't want to tonight or ever. He said he didn't want to ever -- that God made some people with hair and some bald and that he just wanted to be bald!! Wow! My husband didn't believe that this conversation had taken place so the following night he went to put the medicine on Duncan and Duncan again told him he wanted to be bald! I know that it is probably much more scary with a little girl. Have you seen Olivia Rusk's page on Alopecia World? If not, check it out. I know with it being new it is all overwhelming, but I like you was planning way ahead. Can I ask if her hair loss was around the time of receiving her vaccines? Duncan's started coming out after having the DTP vaccine -- I can't seem to get any of the physicians to admit to a linked, but it seems obvious to me. Cindy

Permalink Reply by Sara and William on May 13, 2009 at 9:08am

My son's hair began falling out in November, and now he is completely bald, including lashes and brows. Absolutely nothing had happened differently when it started falling out. No significant illnesses, no shots, nothing. Just all fell out.

Can't say whether Duncan's had anything to do with the shots, but I can say William was nowhere near shots when his started. His last vaccine was about a year and a half or more before the alopecia hit.

--Sara

Permalink Reply by Monique (Mom) on May 22, 2009 at 9:35pm

hahahaha. I just had this conversation with my husband. I am a school teacher for elementary kids. My daughter will go to the school where I work. I am more concerned with middle school and high school. I hear that in private they are just as nasty especially because they have more money they tend to be more "catty". I don't know. I have thought the same thing.

Permalink Reply by Angie, Gracie's mom on May 22, 2009 at 9:42pm

You know, I too think elem will go OK. My concerns are middle school/HS--our HS is HUGE. I have been giving what Cindy said some thought, and my concern would be taking her out of public elem and putting her into private middle, which would negate the whole knowing her and having it not be a big deal thing, if they've seen her since she was small. It is a big decision, and I feel like I need to figure it out quickly as my son will enter K in one year, and I don't want to switch him.... It is hard!!!