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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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Cheryl Jones

Hi Linda,
Thank you for the welcome. I have been alittle depressed lately. I have had Universalis for a little over 4 years. I was very upset at first but it is what it is. I was doing great and then in July of 08, I left my husband, which I love and was my best friend. My mom died in Oct. of 08 and I feel like I have been crying ever since. I never thought being bald bothered me but I find myself staying in and not wanting to meet anyone new. I can wear my wig but I feel like I am lying to people, because that is not me and because I am 5 ft,9, alot of people mistake me for a man. I just felt maybe I could use a few friends that know where I am coming from. I guess it bothers me more than I thought.
Thanks for letting me vent.

May 2, 2009
Renee J.

Thanks so much for the welcome, Linda. I will definitely check out the site.

May 3, 2009
Cheryl Jones

Thank you

May 5, 2009
Tyra Brown Rogers

Thanks for the warm welcome, Linda! I'm looking forward to learning more.

May 10, 2009
Elyse and Laura(mom) Armstrong

Thank you for the lovely comment but, it's a girl and her name is Elyse. She has had alopecia since she was about 3 yrs old. She is now 7 yrs and is doing well.

May 14, 2009
Anastasia

Hello, thank you for stopping by my page. For so long I tried not to think about my alopecia, I focused on my ritual shower, clothes, makeup, & Shayla (yes girl I started naming my wigs) and acted like nothing bothered me. I would laugh at bald jokes from family members even though I cried inside. I've been putting a cheap band-aid over a sacred wound for so long I still can't believe it myself. I will definitley consider participating in the functions you mentioned. Once again thank you, and by the way you look great.

May 17, 2009
lynne

hello how r u, ive bn readin ur blogs and there great,
ive only just lost my hair so i dont have the courage for all that just yet, i have bn off my work so im dreadin if some1 says the wrong thing or slags me off, i know id be an emotional reck just now, maybe one day i would be able to stand up for myself, and be as brave as u and others on this site, im so glad i found this site as ive spoke to some great people already, anyway hope we can chat sn, take care, x

May 17, 2009
Lola

Hi Linda,

Thank you for the welcome--I'm an old member returning. I had to leave for awhile... While I appreciated the support, I became depressed while reading about all those who have completely lost their hair. At the time, I still had a fair amount of hair. Now... I am so thin, if one more doctor or beautician say "it's not that bad," I'll scream. So, to keep myself sane, I thought I'd better rejoin the website and work on acceptance in a supportive environment.
Be well!

May 17, 2009
lynne

hello,
yeah pritty mad eh, was out in the sun yesterday wearin factor 50,
thanks for the message tho, x

May 18, 2009
Alan

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the comment. Nice to "meet" you.

Alan

May 19, 2009
Kristen Viveros

Linda,
Thank you for the compliments on my kids. I love this site. So much to do and read.
Much Love,
Kristen.

May 19, 2009
christina fernandez

lol thank you!!

May 22, 2009
Rachel Taylor

thank you very much!

May 25, 2009
Jackie

Hi Linda,

I am hoping to find a group nearby my home in Jamaica NY. I am really looking forward to joining the girls.

May 26, 2009
Tracy and Amanda

Thank you Linda! I am new here and just stumbled on this website a few days ago. It seems like a great place to talk to people going through the same thing as my daughter and myself. My family and friends have been supportive but it seems like they dont really understand. I am glad I found a place where I can get advice and meet new friends who know what its like.

May 27, 2009
Roslyn

Thank you for the welcome I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone

May 29, 2009
Lisa Leppert

Thank you for your welcome. I am glad there is a place of support for when we need it.

May 30, 2009
Betty Cossar

Way to go!! You are a very brave lady! I have not had the strength to shave and to "top-less" yet! Yes, it is very hot on a Mississippi summer day and wearing a wig only makes it worse. Your story gives me hope and courage. Thanks for contacting me!
Betty Cossar

Jun 6, 2009
Amit

Thanks a lot Linda.

Jun 6, 2009
Anabel

Thanks for the welcome :)
When i shaved my head it didnt look nice really, cause you can see all the white hairless parts and the places that do have hair are quite dark.
You look perfect :) Slick head!

Jun 9, 2009
Dionne Smith

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm already inspired by the posts and words of encouragement on this site. You are beautiful! Please stay in touch.

Jun 9, 2009
Donna Marie Golubovas

Hi Linda, thanks for the welcome to the site.
I just read your latest post. Congrats on making the decision to shave your head. Not only will you feel free now on a windy day you can chuckle at everyone elses bad hair misery!!!

Jun 14, 2009
Bre Cobb

Thanks Linda ,
ill have to see if i can come cause i would love too lol . and those are some of my nicknames too lol but thanks again for the welcome.

Jun 15, 2009
Bre Cobb

It is about 20 minutes from Opelika to Tuskegee. I hope i will be able to catch it next year cause i might not be able to make this year because of its fathers day and ill be with my dad.

Jun 15, 2009
Susan VanOrder

Linda,

Your Blog on July 17, 2008 sounds exactly like my best friends story. She owns a wig store and that is how I met her a few years ago. She described her feeling as free after she shaved her head for the first time. She says I was her inspiration because the first time I went to see her store and went to try on a wig, I took my current wig off and when she saw I had my head shaved, she said it was an inspiration. About a week later she had her's shaved. She continues to shave her head and wears wigs when she wants to.

We organized a support group for women with hair loss in our area. We are now opening a new shop that is in a spa(currently in business). She was invited in to sell her wigs and I am going to manage it for her as I have the counseling background as well to help their clients that have cancer related alopecia. We also have connections to the Cancer Society but my main focus is on alopecia related problems, of which I am researching now.

Thanks for the blog. This is my first time blogging.

Jun 17, 2009
wael saad

thanks Linda :)
u have a nice page here i like it

Jun 17, 2009
Brandi M. Gurley

I really enjoyed reading your story. I am completely bald but I still wear a hair piece. I haven't got brave enough to go without it yet in public. But maybe one day I can be brave like u. Talk to u soon. Brandi

Jun 25, 2009
Jose Medina

Wow another inspirational profile. Im getting overwhelmed reading all these amazing stories. You're amazing as well as everyone else in here

Jun 28, 2009
Cara Gooding

hi linda, thanks for the welcome! hope you are doing well yourself:D

Jun 29, 2009
Jbkny

Jul 4, 2009
Bee

hello, I went really happy for your comment.
Well hair isn't everything and beauty is doesn't mean hair so why even think about it.
God gave us alopecia because he wanted us to se who really ceared about us. atleast that's how I think ;)

with all respect Beatrice!

Jul 14, 2009
Brandy googe

my daughters hair is coming an gng dnt knw what to do i dnt want anyone to feel sorry 4 her but i feel so alone any advice wld b nice

Jul 21, 2009
BabyGirl

Thank you for all the encouragement I really needed to hear that! I will definetly make sure that I keep building up herself esteem : ) Thanks alot

Jul 27, 2009
Essence

thanks!

and i definitely will =D

Jul 30, 2009
Carmen Adorno

Thank you and many blessings to you. Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Aug 5, 2009
Nicole O'Brien-Dupye

I just wanted to say hello

Aug 17, 2009
JUDITH

Hi Linda I'm a big YANKEE fan, it's been hard having AA I think its time to shave so afraid. I work at a school with little ones not sure it I can handle all the questions this year. when they saw me last I still had about 80% and today about 30%.

Aug 19, 2009
Sam Sam

You look great, i havent gotten the courage to go au natural but when i do i expect freedom, polish and go :).

Aug 21, 2009
Dante J. Worth

Thank you very much, you're beautiful. I love the natural look, I still have faith that God will heal me one day, but until then I'm trying to stay strong. I pray that you do the same. Stay encourage, Stay Blessed, and stay in touch. God Bless!

Aug 25, 2009
Clayton

Hi Linda! I know, surprised, right? :-) I just thought I'd come by and say hello, seeing that we've not spoken for a while.

I know that real life can take us away from some of the things we do for enjoyment, or sometime we just need a change of pace. So I don't stress the small things. I just hope things are well with you and that you're getting on with your life.

One thing though, please stay out off those backwoods southern towns you seem to enjoy so much! Or at least be out by sundown, feel me? :-)

Sep 29, 2009
Tarsha Bradstreet

Hello Ms Linda, Thanks for the welcome...Jerick (7) and I are sending you some New Orleans Love and we look forward to talking with and getting to know you better as well as others here. Me as a Mother of a child with aleopecia I can definately use the support. One Love, Tarsha

Oct 8, 2009
marini

Thanks for the welcome! I'm not only new to this sight but new to alopecia in general. Can you suggest anything good to read. I want to learn all I can. The doctor was really nonchalant and I want to believe its no big deal, but I still want more information. He suggested steroid shots every 4 weeks on the two spots he found (one of which I hadn't even known about). Thanks again for the welcome and you go girl on the bald look, you look fabulous!

Oct 24, 2009
chandra j. brown

thank you so much

Oct 29, 2009
Karma Wairau

Hi Linda, I loved your introduction &comments you have shared . . & the blogs.
I would like to add you as a friend if that is ok. I agree with Jamar, you are a hero.
Love the attitude :D
Karma in Australia

Oct 30, 2009
GEORGE

Hello Linda, thanks for the welcome..

Nov 4, 2009
Jessie Marie

Thank you Linda for your comment! I think your bald is beautiful. Women do not need hair to be beautiful. Inner beauty is everything to me. You may not always have your hair, you can always have your inner beauty. Thanks!

-Jessie

Nov 6, 2009
Shauntae C

Thanks alot!

Nov 7, 2009
Erica

Hi, thank you for the welcome.

Nov 10, 2009
Cynthia Lee Watkins

Thank you, Linda! I feel blessed knowing you are right here in "Horrorsburg"......and it looks like we share the same religious affiliation (AME), also.

Nov 14, 2009
Nay

Hello linda and thank you.

Nov 14, 2009

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