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Brittany

33, Female

Brooklyn, New York

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: In a Relationship
About Me:: My story from Self Magazine
https://www.self.com/story/what-its-really-like-to-have-alopecia

Article by: Sarah Jacoby

"At the age of 10, I had one bald patch that came and disappeared. I didn't think anything of it until age 12, when my hair started coming out again, but that time it was falling out in clumps. As a child you don't understand why you are going bald; I hid it from my parents because I thought I had cancer and I didn't want to worry them.

"After losing a good percentage of my blondie locks my mom realized I was losing my hair and something wasn't right. I was brought to the pediatrician by my mom. The pediatrician examined my scalp, said this is probably a case of alopecia areata, and referred me to the dermatologist. After meeting with the dermatologist, I was given an official diagnosis of alopecia areata. We started treatment immediately, which was topical ointments and injections into my scalp.

"After finding out my diagnosis, I became depressed. Losing my hair and being in junior high school wasn't easy—I was a huge target for bullying. My hair loss became so severe I had to begin wearing a hairpiece, which my fellow classmates pulled off of my head on a couple occasions. There were also rumors going around that I had cancer. The bullying that I experienced caused me to be self-conscious of my appearance and insecure. I was frustrated as well because none of my treatments were working, and the injections were giving me major headaches.

"Eventually, alopecia caused me to have complete hair loss on my scalp, loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, and complete loss of all body hair. A side effect of having alopecia is also ridges and brittleness in both fingernails and toenails.

"Every morning I wake up, pencil in my eyebrows, and apply false eyelashes. You never realize how important eyelashes are until you lose them; airborne particles can be a pain. After applying my makeup, my last step in getting ready is applying my wig. Then I am set to conquer the day. The hardest parts of having alopecia areata are finding wigs that are stylish yet affordable, dealing with the heat in the summer (it causes your wig to itch and your eyebrows to sweat off your face), knowing that your children could also inherit your alopecia, and being prone to other autoimmune diseases.

"I dealt with years of depression until I attended my first National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) conference at the age of 16; I realized after attending the conference that I am not alone with this disease. There are thousands of others also facing this disease, and meeting others with alopecia areata helped me to finally accept what was happening to my body. I became a support group leader for alopecia areata because I know this diagnosis can be difficult to handle sometimes. I host an annual event at my local minor league baseball team stadium for alopecia areata awareness.

"A diagnosis of alopecia areata is not the end of the world. If you are struggling with this diagnosis, please know you are not the only one. ♡ Find a local support group meeting or find support at naaf.org."

The Tyra Banks Show in May 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03FnS5YROyw&sns=fb

The Steve Harvey Show in October 2012
http://youtu.be/yzcQRn5QGkg

Today Show August 2017
https://www.today.com/video/4-women-open-up-about-losing-their-hair...;

Self Magazine May 2018
https://www.self.com/story/what-its-really-like-to-have-alopecia
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://Instagram.com/brittany_kayxo

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

Andre

Now I heard all four (Little Bit, My Leftovers, Fersure Maybe, and Guilty Pleasure) and liked all four. Had trouble trying to hear the fourth.

Jun 10, 2009
Kelci

hey girly! Thanks for the add. How have you been? I didn't know you were on the Tyra show that's AWESOME! your pictures from the conference are also awesome! congrats on being so motivational!

Jun 10, 2009
carly

heyy
i was just thinking of yaa
how are youu lately ??
is school out?

Jun 21, 2009
Samantha

hey sorry i havent gotten to message you in like forever!! i have been so busy with school and lal that dinky stuff!!
how are you doing?
hugs! =]

Jun 23, 2009
Kelci

yeah! I love Jessica and Tim! They are some of my closest friends! Well by know you know I couldn't make it to Texas this year. I have to go to a wedding tomorrow so I had to miss out this year :-( BUT I hope you are having an AMAZING time!

Jun 26, 2009
Roger

Sorry you missed the conference Brit.

Marty was as crazy as always ;)

Roger.

Jun 30, 2009
Roger

Hahaha! Marty. His a crazy funny guy =) Talks to everyone everywhere =) but it was fun. Houston was so so hot. Around 100F everyday. Grrrr.

Hugs.

Jul 1, 2009
carly

ooh lucky! i wish i was done with school!
ik we havnt talked in forever!
i really wish i could of gone this year!

Jul 2, 2009
Sandra Dubose-Gibson

Hello Ms. Brittany, my native New Yorker friend. I am originally from the Bronx, New York. Born and raised:) I saw that episode of Tyra Banks. That must have been really exciting for you. Congratulations. Thanks for reaching out. Be blessed and stay beautiful.

Jul 13, 2009
traci

Hey Brittany, thank you so much! How are you doing?

Jul 19, 2009
Essence

hey! yes i did, finally =)

i think i might go to the next one thanks.

Jul 30, 2009
Essence

yeah so, how are you doing?

Jul 31, 2009
Essence

i'm okay, bored and anxious.

waiting to go to california and waiting for my new wigs to get here...
it feels like i've been waiting FOREVER! lol =)

that's cool, when's the conference? i'd love to go since i've never been! =D

and YES! this weather is completely ridiculous. one day it's like 90 degrees and the next day it's like raining, thundering, lighting, windy!! ugh! lol. i miss the beautiful new york summers we're supposed to have ! =/

Aug 1, 2009
Bee

Thank you SO much!!

Aug 1, 2009
Essence

lol, cool!!

same, i hate waiting for the packages but i love getting new wigs.
i feel like a whole new person every time i put it on! lol. =)

i want to go to the conference!! how much are you going to save up?
maybe i should start saving up too, lol. are you going alone??

Aug 1, 2009
Bee

You make your extensions? :O
how? :)

xoxo
Bee

Aug 2, 2009
Essence

oh okay cool!

yeah i don't know if i'll be able to go though.. because i'd want to go with my mom (she's my ultimate support system =) and to double that price is just =X woah! lol.

i'll see though. maybe i can get my dad to pay for it =) lol.

Aug 3, 2009
Essence

hey. quick question:

do you get your wigs styled ? if you do , do you know of a stylist in new york ?i got my package. lol. but i deffinitely need to get my wig styled .

thanks =)

Aug 4, 2009
Essence

oh okay, so maybe i'll just check some salons around my area..

thanks again!!

Aug 5, 2009
Bee

Wow,

Thank you so much!

xoxo
Bee

Aug 7, 2009
T

Wow ur freaking lucky :0 i want a emo guys wig but i cant find any :( im 17 lol they also pretty exspencive for customs

Aug 9, 2009
Andre

wuz up?

Andre

Aug 17, 2009
meaghan evelyn smith earle

thanks for the birthday message. i haven't been on in the longest time.

Aug 21, 2009
Kelly

Thanks.
:]

Aug 26, 2009
T

Cool thats what i am trying to do something like that i got one sending in the mail supposably but its taking forever i am like missing the first week of school lol o well but when i get it i am going to get it cut like Alex evans kinda :) i hope it looks good when i do

xoxo Tyler ^_-

Aug 30, 2009
Andre

um im fine, Brittany

Andre

P.S. - im horrible with understanding anything so what did you mean by "nm u" and "xoxo"?!

Aug 31, 2009
Roger

Hey Brit.

Marty called me this morning =) He just finished his job. That crazy guy =)

Sep 1, 2009
Andre

um thanks, I guess. - Andre

Sep 3, 2009
T

I will ^_- xoxoxo

Sep 4, 2009
T

Your pretty cool :) still hasn't come yet but it should be here soon ^_- xoxoxo

Sep 6, 2009
T

Hey i got it dont look as good as alex evans but its pretty dang good now i just need some eye liner hehe ^_^ xoxoxoxo

Sep 9, 2009
T

Ye :) wasn't what i exspected but it looks pretty dang good on me very real looking and everyone i didn't know before thinks its real hehe got to love that <3 xoxoxox ^_-

Sep 12, 2009
Heather

Hey, Brittany. How are ya? Just wondering if you know if the AA support group is a definite thing tomorrow the 22nd.

Sep 21, 2009
T

Thanks i can make it looks so Scene ^_- it is awesome thanks :)

Sep 23, 2009
T

Talk in the chatroom xoxoxo :)

Sep 23, 2009
Heather

Thanks ;)

Sep 23, 2009
JeffreySF

Happy Birthday Brittany!!!

Jeffrey

Sep 29, 2009
JeffreySF

Hey Brittany,

I'll be in Indianapolis for sure!!!
How was graduation night?

Hugz,

Jeffrey

Oct 4, 2009
Roger

Hey Brit =)

Im fine thanks. Yes, the days passes quickly. We will be in Indiana soon ;)

Im looking forward to it already.

Hugs, Roger.

Oct 5, 2009
JeffreySF

Hey Brittany,

Leo will be coming too yep.
So is your roomie for Indy an alopecian? Are you friends?

Sorry you were upset about Houston on Grad Night.

Jeffrey

Oct 5, 2009
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,
This is great!!!
I'm glad you have some alopecian friends to help you thru this.
I wanted to let you know a group of about 14 or so will be in Boston Oct 22-27. If you would like to join in that would be super.
Check it out under the Events tab here on AW.

Hope you are having a nice night.

Jeffrey

Oct 5, 2009
Roger

Any news from Marty =) I sent him a birthday card yesterday. He will be 60 soon =)

Oct 6, 2009
Evelien

whow beautifull pictures and nice music
grtz evelien

Oct 7, 2009
Cindy

Hi Brittany, you sound like an amazing young girl..I enjoyed reading your profile. How are you? Cindy

Oct 12, 2009
Andre

hi, wuz up? its pretty cold out for me.

Oct 12, 2009
Roger

Marty called me yesterday =) bla bla bla =)

Take care Brit =)

Rog

Oct 14, 2009
Roger

Countdown to Indy =)

Oct 21, 2009
Jo Jo

Brittany, I definately want to give you a thumbs up for your courage and want to say that your story pulled on my heat strings. I am sorry for the loss of your hair but on the flip side of that coin would like to congradulate for finding yourself. From this day forward I know that things can only get better. I also want to tell you that I think you are BEEEEEEEAUTIFUL, FOR SURE! HAIR OR NO HAIR GIRL, YOU GOT THIS THING LICKED! BE A VICTOR NEVER A VICTIM (quoted from Joel Osteen-pastor)

JoJo

Oct 28, 2009
JeffreySF

Hi Brittany,

Boston was great!!!
We had a group of 16. Loads of fun and bonding time.
How are you doing?
Happy Holloween!!!

Jeffrey

Oct 30, 2009
Roger

226 days left =)

Nov 9, 2009

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