68

LeslieAnn Butler

Female

Portland, Oregon

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: Engaged
About Me:: I'm an artist and author living in Portland, Oregon. I've had aa for about 45 years. My award-winning book, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" is still available at a number of online sources including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Written a few years ago, it's not completely up to date on medical findings, but these are readily available on this site.

Here are a couple of reviews: This "how-to" book provides a much needed text on dealing with emotional and cosmetic aspects of hair loss, whether from alopecia areata or chemotherapy. It details where to find and how to use products for compensating with this loss. It is written in the same bold and bright style that characterizes LeslieAnn's illustrations." -Janet Roberts, M.D., Portland Oregon

"This book is helpful, hopeful, funny and fabulous. It's full of practical advice about wigs, intimate encounters, the inappropriate questions from strangers, and other issues you face when every day is a bad hair day. Women with alopecia, LeslieAnn Butler is your new best friend " -Margie Boul , Columnist, The Oregonian ..

"An essential read, whether you've lost hair, or care about someone who has. Leave it to Leslie Ann to bring humor and glamour to a difficult topic. She is a living testament that the lack of flowing locks is no reason not to live your most glamorous and joyful life. Be inspired and uplifted by this remarkable woman's personal journey." -Nita Lina Howard, Author of A Woman's Journey is Her Legacy

I wrote "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" to help other people -- particularly women and girls --and it's one that I wish I had been able to find when I discovered I had alopecia years ago.

I have stumbled through all the stages of grief (feeling guilty because, after all, there are worse things than alopecia), figuring out how to look normal, bouncing from one treatment to another, buying and ruining or rejecting dozens of wigs, losing every single hair on my body, figuring out how to tell guys I was dating, living in fear of the wind and someone touching my head…all in all, going from heartbreak to acceptance to joy and confidence. And it's all in the book, along with experiences of others, advice on wigs, makeup, products, treatments -- and how you can celebrate your life with alopecia areata, go after your dreams, and know you're not alone."

Hear a live interview at http://www.insidescooplive.com/author-pages/Butler-LeslieAnn-readin....

Visit my artist web site at www.leslieannbutler.com.
Do you have alopecia?: Alopecia universalis
Are you age 18 or older?: Yes - I am 18 or older
Your Website (Leave blank if you don't have one):: http://astore.amazon.com/ngp-20/detail/1933449586

Comment Wall:

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Karen

Hi Leslie Ann. Thanks for the welcome. I apologize for the late response. I have been out of town and then hit the ground running with work. Thank Godness for work. It helps to keep my mind off the hair loss. Anyway, just wanted to reply back and say hello:)

Jul 22, 2008
Jillian

Thank you, I will get the book. I'm trying to get as much ifo as I can (not that it will make my hair grow back). I'm just trying to understand it all. Jillian

Jul 23, 2008
Cindy

Thanks for the welcome. Wish I would have found site sooner. What a great place to share.

Jul 23, 2008
Jillian

Thanks girl! jillian

Jul 23, 2008
Brandy

Hey. Sorry it took so long to respond. My bald spots are under my hair, so no one can see them. I actually got daring today and got my hair cut with layers. You still can't see my spots though. I'm looking at your photos as I'm typing this. Is that you? If so, do you use false lashes and brows? Just wondering.

Jul 23, 2008
Carol-ann Mendez

I would like to say Thank U !!!!!!!!!!!! I am happy knowing that I'm not alone ... I always thought that I was the only one ....

Jul 23, 2008
sgomez

OMG! That would be great! and thanks for the nice compliment. I think my kids are pretty darn cute, too!! lol!

Jul 24, 2008
Samantha

Hey Leslie Ann....I decided to go with the permanent make-up. I am way too active for drawing them on and all the other different ways to put eyebrows on. I was constantly checking the mirror to make sure they were there. I am very happy about the results. I am actually getting regrowth with color in my eyebrows now! How crazy is that? And the patches on my head are filling in! I still have nothing everywhere else, but I'm not complaining about that. I think it has something to do with the sun...I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's just a feeling. Anyway, isn't your new book out now? I will definitely have to check that out. How have you been?

Jul 24, 2008
Gale

OMG. I got the book and read it in one setting at work. Right after work I went and had my nails done and came home and put my wig on and I feel so good. It is a must read for all.

Jul 24, 2008
Gale

Forgot something I also called one of my friends that I trust and we are setting up a hair cut for my wig. I really feel good. Thank you so very much

Jul 24, 2008
Gale

Yes before I read it I wasnt wearing my wig and wasnt feeling like a woman

Jul 24, 2008
Meghan

aww thank you so much, and i definitely want to check you book out!!

Jul 24, 2008
Vicktoria (Katya's mom)

I read your book and thought it was very good and helpful. I copied some of the pages for my daughter, but decided she did not need to read t.he whole book To date, she has not had any negative comments or social issues due to alopecia and I thought that it might give her to much to think about if she read some of the stories. Of course, if she ever asks, I'll let her read the whole thing.

Many of the tips in your book were excellent. Some of the eye makeup tips we implemented immediately. The liner stay is great. My daughter loves it.
Vicktoria

Jul 24, 2008
Buffy, Alicia's Mom

Hi LeslieAnn -- Thank you for the comments. Alicia is a great girl with a sweet heart and a great attitude. She is doing fine right now. She has lost quite a bit of hair this summer, but still doing fine. I am doing fine, I just want to be prepared and be able to give Alicia options, when she asks for them. Sorry I am just now replying! I am new to message boards!

Jul 25, 2008
Prayer

Thanks Leslie, we are pretty new to AA, put I am glad to have found about the networking opportunity. I will be in touch.

Jul 25, 2008
Angell

Hello,

Thanks for the info on your book. I wish that I could order it, but I am on a very fixed, disability income and am just about making my bills. I am sure it is a wonderful book. Thanks for letting me know about it.

Angell

Jul 26, 2008
Gale

I was wonderinhg if hyou knew a good place to get hair extentions?

Jul 26, 2008
Jana

hey , thanks :)
i have alopecia areata , so i have my hair but i have some spots too. and i have hair extensions too cover the spots :)

Jul 27, 2008
Jana

i see , a lot of things going on ! hehe ..
i have to say you look gorgeous , and your wigs look so natural :)
x

Jul 27, 2008
Bigmama

Thank you for your welcome. I am definatly in need of support. So, happy I found this site.

Jul 28, 2008
Lori

Hey LeslieAnn,

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of your book.

Jul 29, 2008
Gale

Hi there. I am doing ok, my boyfriend broke up with me this month so trying to get over that. Why are men only after looks?

Jul 30, 2008
Raquel

Hi, how are you? please accept my apology I am new here and am very into myspace so between the 2 and work and life..lol.. not much time for replies. I will try to reply when I can, I have had AA since I was 14, and it was very difficult but Thank God he is helping me remember it is not how I look but what is on the inside that counts. well i hope to keep in touh. Take care..

Jul 30, 2008
Ashley

So, i think your book sounds amazing. How would one go about getting a copy of it?

Jul 30, 2008
Ashley

Awesome, thanks so much! I will definitely let you know what i think!

Jul 30, 2008
baldiegirl

Surely my next buy:)

Jul 30, 2008
Danielle

I'm doing OK today. Most days I'm pretty good at dealing with it, but you know every once in a while you get those days where you're bitterly railing... How are you doing today? Is that Denver in your pics?

Jul 30, 2008
Bec.

Hi! Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! Things have been hectic here. I'm doing great. Lots of new things going on right now. How are you?

Jul 30, 2008
claire

leslie hope your well, ive got your book its great x

Jul 31, 2008
Alyssamama

Hello,
Im not doing so good, Ive been depressed and upset for Alyssa. Alyssa seems to keep her feelings inside but I know her hair loss is hurting her. Alyssa started her injections yesturday and Im worried it wont work. Alyssa has seen four different doctors. I hate seeing her go through this.

Jul 31, 2008
Debbie Dibelka

Hi Leslieann,
Not sure but I have no hair on my head at all. Eyebrows and eyelashes come and go. got them tatooed last year when they decided to go and they seemed to come back for a while. I'll enjoy them while I can. Love the permanent makeup ! So much easier and It makes me feel more Normal I guess. Debbie Dibelka

Aug 1, 2008
claire

THANKS leslieann for your lovely comments its nice to know others understand what its like to lose a pet, hope your ok the book is a great read.

Aug 1, 2008
Angie W.

Hello LeslieAnn,
Thanks for contacting me as a friend. It's funny because I recognized your name but couldn't figure out how I knew it. As I looked at your profile I figured it out; I wanted so much to get the painting you had on the AAF website, the one of the bald girl dancing....I loved that. Anyway, I was so excited to see you have a book and I went right away and ordered it, cannot wait to read it.
I also wanted to comment that I love your hairpieces, I love the styles and the was they look so natural. If you don't mind telling me what types of wigs they are I would appreciate to know. Thanks!!! Angie

Aug 1, 2008
Angie W.

"Bald Boogie" that was the name of it, sorry I couldn't remember it's been so long...I knew she was bald and she was dancing;)
Thank you for the insight on your wigs and I totally agree that having a hairstylist that knows her way around a wig is key to the whole look, unfortunatley I haven't had the best of luck which I guess is partly my fault as I'm sure I've misguided the stylist with what I wanted; it's trial and error I guess. Yes I cannot wait to read the book, I'm certain I will get so much from it. I wore synthetics for many years before my first human hair wig but I'm not sure if I'd ever wore a Rene of Paris, but I will definately check out that website you suggested. I'm so glad I finally have other people to talk to about these things. Bless you, Angie

Aug 1, 2008
Debbie Dibelka

Leslieanne, I'll keep that in mind if my lashes start to go again. After I had the permanent makeup done they grew in again! I had never lost them all. I'm going to get your book. I would like to read it! so nice to talk to other people that have alopecia. I only know one person. I'll let you know when I get your book. Debbie D

Aug 2, 2008
Hannah

Hi Leslie, okay :) I'm fine, thanks. And you?

Aug 2, 2008
Holly Bargeron (Boyer)

Leslie, I do not have Alopecia, it is my 4 year old daughter. We have know for about a year now that she had it, but she was only loseing small chunks at a time, and then they would grow back in. I was okay with this and so was she. Then last month while we were on a family vaction to Michigan, she started to lose it all. She has now been totally bald for about 2 weeks and is just getting to were she doestn't want to cover her head around family and very close friends. But any time she is around kids her age, she wants to have her head covered or just stay in the house. This is a little hard for me because she is my one child that loves to be out doors and talk to people that she doesn't even know. She will start pre-school in the fall and I worry about how the kids with treat her.

Holly

Aug 2, 2008
Holly Bargeron (Boyer)

My daughter Haley has asked for a wig, and looks for them at every store we go into. We are starting the process with Locks of Love right now.

Aug 2, 2008
Geri

Thanks for the wam welcome. It is so nice to find a place where people can really understand. Everyone seems so nice here. I think I just found a second family!

Aug 3, 2008
NoHair

Hi LeslieAnn and thank you for your nice words!
I´m so happy that I found this page! It´s so many kind and friendly people here!
My biggest problem now is to remember my english so I can write what I want to say...
//Marica
ps. Nice photos! ds.

Aug 4, 2008
Vickie

Hi LeslieAnn,

It is harder for me, I think at this time than her. We are trying different types of natural treatment now and have seen some good outcome and bad. I just get a knot in my stomach just to see her with her bald spot and not knowing the future. We just hope for a miracle.

Aug 4, 2008
Vickie

Sometimes I don't know how to react. I just want to cry sometimes and other times I am angry because it's happening to my Princess, a girl. She knows what is the worse outcome and it doesn't phase her. We try and cover it with the surrounding hair, so it's really not noticable, but I just need to prepare her for when school starts again soon. Thank you for your warm welcome and support.

Aug 5, 2008
panuelo girl

Thanks Leslie Ann - I guess I like the scarves best out of all my head coverings. More fun and more comfortable than wigs. And cheaper. I have quite a collection! Christy

Aug 5, 2008
Pamira Jakobsson

Hi! I´m doing fine.
Tired after work.
How are you?

Aug 5, 2008
Georgia Van C

Thanks for the lovely comment! I am just happy to be here!
Huge smiles,
G
xx

Aug 5, 2008
Casey

Thanks for the welcoming!

Im wonderful today!!! I took my little girl to her 1month docs appt and she is doing soo good! growing fast! she is already 11 pounds, she was 8lbs and 9oz when she was born! shes a little piggy! and its been a nice and relaxing day after that!

How are you?

CASEY

Aug 6, 2008
Alexandra

Hi Leslie Ann!
I'm glad to see I'm not the only animal lover here! You're so incredibly lucky that you've built up a tolerance for kittens and bunnies! I tried that when I was younger but it only landed me in the hospital. Alas, I make do with my stuffed animals, which are good enough for me. =)
I see you wrote a book. I'll have to look around the local book store for it! Anything that mentions dancing is sure to grab my attention.
Have a great evening!
Alexandra

Aug 6, 2008
Ann

I'm always glad to have a new friend! especially someone who also has a positive attitude about things. I really do believe though that if you are not enough with hair u definitly wont be enough without it and that does not just apply to hair it applies to life and if you put a positive spin on things you dont focus as much on the negative. thanks for the message! Ann

Aug 6, 2008
Lisa

Hello and thank you for writing. I am doing ok I guess. I am having a tough week due to my hair continually disappearing. I am also not used to talking about it. I find that I am on this site a lot now as it is now a place I can say how I feel and feel safe doing so. How are you?

Aug 7, 2008
Vickie

Leslie,

I just wanted to let you know, I haven't excepted anyone's invitation as a friend, just because I don't know anyone. It will take me a while to be comfortable accepting friendship from just knowing them on a website. I am very reluctant when it comes to that, so I hope you understand and I ask just to give me time to absorb everything. Thank you again for being so positive and enthusiastic, I am truly greatful:)

Aug 7, 2008

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