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Linda

Female

Harrisburg, PA

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: In a Relationship
About Me:: Hello...
I've had alopecia areata since I was about 9 years old. I have a great support system, a wonderful man, my Mom, 5 brothers and 6 sisters, 5 children, 3 grandchildren, 41 nieces and nephews and numberous great nieces and nephews. My life is great, I love it. More later...
Okay...it's later, here's a piece of my story...
After about two years of contemplation I decided to shave my head completely bald. Trying to cover the three spots I've had since the onset of my AA was beginning to challenge my otherwise healthy self-esteem. I've had my hair braided, worn hairpieces, glue-in weaves, sewn in weaves and wigs...in that order. Tired of running to find a headcover when someone other than family came to visit, tired of going to the hairdresser with clients who didn't understand AA, tired of trying to figure new ways to wear my hair, just plain tired...I knew it was time. I'm a free spirit of sorts, I've worn almost every hairstyle, with the latest being a curly afro, which oh by the way turned a lot more heads than my new bald look :-) I shaved my head on July 5, 2008 and after a week of only wearing it in the house and waiting until my man, all of my family members and close friends had seen it, I braved the Sun on Sunday, July 13, 2008...first stop, Wesley Union AME Zion Church. Most of the folks loved my new look, one lady passed me a note that said, "you look beautiful, go girl", I smiled and thanked her. After church, I went out to eat with my eldest daughter, LaTosha, she's always been one of my "Super Cheerleaders". I have seven others, my 3 other daughters, Naisha, KaLisha and Dara, my son Chet, and my grand daughters, Journey, SaMani and SaNai. As I strolled confidently into the restaurant, there were stares, a few whispers, but I exude confidence...soon the folks were smiling, some winked approval and some came up to me to say how beautiful I looked. I went shopping afterwards and two young girls about 9 or 10 came to me and said "hey miss, you look like a model". My confidence solidified, I was prepared to take on the world, the next day, Monday, July 14, I walked into work, my head held high and shining bald...I dusted it with a bronzer, I smiled at those who stared and strolled right past them into my office. It's been a week and four days since I shaved my head, I've only had three comments that I didn't care for, a man at work said "hey Linda, you don't look sick", a woman at work asked me if someone had dared me to shave my head and the little girl next door to me said, "I don't like bald heads". I look at it as being their hang up, I don't have one, I think "Bald is Bliss"!
Do you have alopecia?: Alopecia areata
Are you age 18 or older?: Yes

Comment Wall:

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Samaria

Thank you for welcome! Be blessed-Yours in health, Samaria

Jan 16, 2009
Bob Hershberger

Linda..And think of all the money you save on shampoo..LOL..JK..Keep the beautiful smile beaming..It very contagious..Bob

Jan 16, 2009
Amanda

thank you! i read your "about me" and by the way you've deffinatley got the right attitude!i have had AA since fourth grade and just shaved my head about 2 weeks ago...i wish i had your confidence! your absolutley beautiful and i admire your courage. :)

Jan 16, 2009
becky

Thanks, Linda! Good to be here.

Jan 17, 2009
Vickie M.

Hey, thank! I'm glade to be apart of this!!!

Jan 18, 2009
Michelle De Cou

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the welcome. I'm happy to have found this site.

Jan 18, 2009
Amanda

oh i deffinatley will, do you get to it though alopecia world?

Jan 18, 2009
Sabrina

Thanks alot! He's my one and only

Jan 20, 2009
Dara L.Strickland

Hi Linda,
Well its midweek since I shaved my head and I feel great. Today will be the first time I've seen my sisters since I was relieved of my hair lol. I've explained to them what happened and they are supportive. Their reaction to me in the flesh remains to be seen. I haven't received word from my doctor on the results of my blood work yet. I have been pretty sick, but am mending. Thanks again for every kind word, thought & prayer. Your example of courage is one I hope to not only embrace but follow.
dara
maranatha

Jan 21, 2009
Kimberly

I appreciate the welcome and look forward to learning and sharing each others stories.

Jan 22, 2009
Cherylnz

Hi Linda,
Thanks for your message. Hope your week is going great so far. Is Friday morning here so another weekend almost here and with our part of the world in the middle of our Summer time the weather is fantastic too. Our children have another week and abit of their school holidays left, back to school early February.
Take Care

Jan 22, 2009
Nesha

Thanks for the welcome Linda! Your courage is inspiring.

Jan 22, 2009
Indira

hey linda. i´d like so say thank you for your welcome. have a nice weekend. greets indira

Jan 23, 2009
Dee

Hey Linda, thanks for the welcome. How are you? Loved your piece headed "it's all about attitude" because that's exactly how I've dealt with my alopecia. I am very happy wearing wigs. Weaves and hair extensions weren't around when I first started losing my hair and so for me it was try and cover the bald bits and then straight on to wigs. I see the hassle my twin sister has in trying to decide what she should do about her full head of hair. Me - I just think, bored of straight and long, now I'll go short and curly. Keep in touch and thanks for your welcome again. Peace and Love - Dee xx

Jan 24, 2009
Stephanie Jacquelyn

Hi Linda! Thanks for the welcome!!

I'm glad I took the plunge and shaved it all off. It was the first time I actually felt like I had control over AA. And.. I'm with you. I was most definitely tired of covering it all up... I was in denial for 15 and 1/2 years!

I'm currently wearing a wig out in the world.. but going au-natural at home/with fam/friends.

As for the toes- it's such a time saver!!! hahah.Sometimes I put on my peep toe shoes and then paint. Hhahah.

Happy Sunday. You're Beautiful!!!

Jan 25, 2009
morganax

thanks for the welcome!

Jan 26, 2009
Kelly

Thank you so much Linda !

Jan 26, 2009
carli

thank you for welcoming me:)

Jan 27, 2009
Stephanie Jacquelyn

hello Linda.

i can't wait for the day where i'll be comfortable enough to open my front door or go into the world w/o my hair. i'm slowly getting there... it's only been about a month and some change since i shaved what was left off..

today was the first day of my last semester of grad school and there was a moment where i almost got up and threw down my hair.. but it was a fleeting moment.

one day soon... one day soon i'll be free.
-steph

Jan 27, 2009
donna

Thanks Linda for the welcome.

Jan 27, 2009
Amanda

Hi. Thanks for welcome. Barbados is lovely, and I'm not just saying that because I live here.

Amanda

Jan 27, 2009
Carol Solis

Thanks for starting this group I keep watching it grow ,, fun stuff ,,yeah being bald at the hands of God not such a bad thing..,, and really I do like it at times ,, ALOT!!!!!

Jan 28, 2009
Carol Solis

Yeah its great to have a cheerleading group here,, We all get it,,and its great to have really positive attitudes about it,,because it really is just hair.

Jan 29, 2009
Montoya Grant

Thanks...I feel like I'm apart of something now!

Jan 30, 2009
Inez

Hi Linda, nice to be here. Your pictures are very beautiful.

Jan 31, 2009
Pam (Julia's mom)

Thank you Linda!

Feb 1, 2009
porcelinh

thank you for the warm welcome, Holly

Feb 16, 2009
Pat

Linda, Linda, Linda! Thanks for the welcome. You are so funny! I have been reading your blogs and cracking up. I love your attitude and the story about the lady with the 3 hairs is great. That was the very first time I was able to laugh about hairloss. Thanks.

Feb 16, 2009
Sherrie Laurie

Thank you for the welcome Linda! what an encouragement this site is...I've had A.U. for 3 years and had no idea there was so much support and encouragement.
I shaved my head early on because I had about 80 baldness, then lost it all including eyebrows and eyelashes. Last night after reading comments and watching videos on this site I decided to embrace life more fully with alopecia instead of living only half alive....doing things but not completely engaged because someday I would have hair again and really be able to enjoy life! I decided to turn a corner in my life and be completely whole with Alopecia!!!
Thanks for the welcome!!!

Feb 17, 2009
Retha

Thanks for the inspiration.. your story is amazing.. I am so glad I'm not the only one.

Feb 20, 2009
Dee North

Thanks Linda, you look great!!!! I wear Lace wigs:)

Feb 26, 2009
Mary Sarra

Good morning Linda. You responded to my blog about hair pieces and said you would email me some websites. I just wanted to make sure you have the correct email. I have several, so if you could just email to msarra0604@comcast.net.

Thank you very much for your response and I hope to hear from you soon.

God Bless, Mary

Mar 9, 2009
Elaine

Thank u, God bless! And u look great!

Mar 11, 2009
Jill

Thanks for leaving me a comment on my post. Bald as a bean. I love it! Have a wonderful day.

Mar 11, 2009
Felicia Graham

Thanks for sharing your story. I have been contemplating going with out my wig.I have AU. This month marked 3 years. I know this will be the year I gain the courage to go bald. I don't wear a wig all the time. Sometimes I weara head wrap. I never wear anything at home. I am comfortable around people I know. I am starting to feel as though I need to get out of my confort zone and let everyone see the true me. Thanks again for sharing.

Mar 11, 2009
BrandyLynn

Saying HI back at ya Linda!! I know the feeling of shaving my head for the first time...I wondered why I sat and suffered for so long w/what hair I did have. I felt liberated..free..like a massive weight was lifted of my shoulders!! It's been great...and yes..attitude IS everything!
Happy St. Patty's Day!

Mar 17, 2009
Clayton

Hi Linda, thank you for the warm welcome, I think I'm going to like it here. After all, we have so much in common. :-)
I'm going to look around, peace!

Mar 22, 2009
Carol Solis

Thanks again for the support ,, some days we just need someone who is going thur it also who understands,, thanks again. We all need to meet soon somewhere

Mar 26, 2009
Danette

Thanks! I am so happy I found this site. It has made it so much easier for me to cope.

Mar 28, 2009
DeNay

hey thanks for the comment!... stay fierce!!!

Mar 29, 2009
Nitza

Hi Linda,
I was reading your story and may god bless you for being so brave... l wish l could be that brave thank you for the welcome and hope you have a great day

Nitza

Apr 2, 2009
donna walker margolies

Hi Linda,
Thanks for the comment! I agree with you about the freedom of baldness\! Although I've only been challenged by by AA for a couple years, when my hair was all gone i kept saying how much easier it made the personal grooming part of my life!! At this point, if it weren't for my son's Bar Mitzvah on 5/2, I would get a shave. But somehow I'm hoping what littke I have left will hold out for the photos!!

It does make a difference to me to have this support.
Thanks, Donna

Apr 3, 2009
Wanda Wright

Thank you Linda!! I look forward to the day when my daughter will display her personality again. I love your spirit.

Apr 5, 2009
Cristine

Thank you, Linda. He is quite handsome and he is sweet too. He has found acceptance from his family and many friends. It is difficult for him at school and in public areas where he doesn't know people. He is very conscious of being different than others. I want to teach him to be strong and confident, just as you are.

Apr 6, 2009
SHONA JONES

Hi Linda,

Iam about and hour 1/2 away from Fayettville :)

Apr 12, 2009
Diana Hayden

Hi Linda ; Nice to meet you. God Bless

Apr 13, 2009
Clayton

Hi Linda. I know, surprised, huh? lol Anyway, since I've decided to hang around some, I thought I would come back by and say hello. You were one of the first people to welcome me and that was very important, thanks again for that.

I saw your gorgeous threesome! LOL The look like sweet little girls and I'm sure they are. But as a father of 2 girls, I know they can be more than a handful sometimes too, but nothing takes from the love of one's daughters!

I'm sure we can agree on that.

Apr 21, 2009
Nicole Mosley

It sure as h%!* is... and will only be getting hotter... At least I don't have to worry about my hair frizzing! LOL!

Apr 23, 2009
Twila J

Thanks for the welcome, Linda!

Apr 30, 2009
Darby & Dad

Thanks for your comment, you look great! Darby enjoyed seeing your pictures.

May 1, 2009

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