Kath

Female

Auckland, New Zealand

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:
Married
About Me:
I am from New Zealand and have had AU 8 years. After a couple of small patches, I got AU 4 months before my wedding - now that was challenging. All was well though and I got married as a blond. Since then I have had lots of fun with red, black, blond wigs - there are some advantages!

I am fine with not having hair and have certainly learned to get around it. I have my wig at work look, and my natural at home and with friends look. It has certainly never stopped me doing lots of things I love like scuba diving and skiing, just means that the head gets a little colder.

In recent years I have done permanent makeup on my eyebrows and eyeliner which I really love. I have found that it has really made me look better especially, especially as I am so fair.

I have actually never meet or really spoken to anyone with Alopecia, and this is the first time I have seen so many beautiful looking Alopecia people. You all look great!
Do you have alopecia?
Alopecia universalis
Are you age 18 or older?
Yes

Comment Wall:

  • Cherylnz

    Hi Kath,
    Nice to see another Kiwi on here.
    I enjoyed reading your comments on Freedom wigs as I have worn them for many years. Great to read about your new one with the new base. I will have to wait awhile to try one as my newest wig was made last year.
    Take care
    Cheryl

    Jul 21, 2008

  • Cheryl, Co-founder

    HI Kath, I wanted to welcome you to Alopecia World. I can honestly say that we are a great community here and I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us. Cheryl, co-founder

    Jul 21, 2008

  • Dawn

    Hello and welcome Kath

    Jul 21, 2008

  • Deeptide

    I new and just wanted to welcome another new member too

    Jul 22, 2008

  • LeslieAnn Butler

    Hi Kath,
    How are you today? I've had aa for about 30 years! I just wanted to say hello...
    LeslieAnn

    Jul 23, 2008

  • Kath

    Thank you all for your warm welcome

    Jul 25, 2008

  • Jenn

    hi, my name is Jenn

    I have AA. for two years now... My fiance is from Auckland New Zealand...nice to see a kiwi on this site....take care

    Aug 12, 2008

  • Zoey

    I have a wesite I used to go through- headcovers.com.. But, now I make my own :) I like it cause I can pick what ever fabric I want and the design...
    My son is almost ten! The big 1-0 as he is saying it. We are throwing a huge party, 12 kids and its a pirate sleep over.. Its gonna be crazy!! But, my son will love it..

    Aug 15, 2008

  • Sharon

    Hi Kath it is always nice to see another kiwi on here. Our daughter is basically AU she is nearly 12. Where are you from? Wouldn't it be awesome if us kiwi's could all get together sometime. I see u wear a freedom wig.........Nicole is waiting for her first one to arrive we are all just a tad excited. Look forward to getting to know u.
    Sharon

    Aug 16, 2008

  • Helen

    Hi Kath
    thankyou for replying you sound so positive this group is certainly a great place to feel comfortable. Yes i will check out the chemist for hats i have never been a hat person but am accepting them as a good option now. I still have the odd day when I feel a bit down about my hair but I guess I should be thankful I am not ill . Would love to chat sometime. Maybe when I get home from my holiday it would be nice to make phone contact

    Aug 27, 2008

  • Natalie Young

    Hi Kath,

    How are you? Sorry I have only just seen your message I haven't been on hear for ages. I am dealing with my alopecia much better now than before but it's still hard at times. This site is so great as you know you are not alone, and there are people out there like you. Where about's in Auckland do you live? I live in South Auckland, would be so great to met people who have alopecia.

    Take care
    Hope to talk to you soon.
    Nat :)

    Aug 28, 2008

  • Stacey Benioni

    Hey Kath

    Thanks for leaving a comment on my page.
    Thanks for the great advise about getting my very first wig, hehe...I know it's going to be hard for me to step outside with my wig and let people see me free of wearing scraves and hats. People seem to think of wigs as a funny thing, but for people like us it's what makes us more confident and proud of having AA. I'm trying to still understand the importance of living my life and it's great for my self development, especially since I want to develop my career... I have a question, did you always want the career that you have with AA?
    God bless

    Nov 6, 2008

  • Stacey Benioni

    Hi Kath

    I really want to look at getting a silcon wig before my 21st birthday next year in August. I'm scared of the prices and how long it takes to make my wig, so I was thinking about it sooner rather than later. I know that I have to shave all my hair off but I'm fine with that. Can you recommend a good place to go and have a look at??? I'm feeling really scared though. I know that it was hard for you but you got over it and just lived on with life daily. I love that. As for your career i'm so happy for you. Even though we've meet online, it seems that i've known you for a life time. I want to have a successful career in the future to better my family and community. I've thought about what people would say and how they would react when they see me with a wig or hair for that matter, I guess i've got to think positive, like you. I'm driven by change and a better future and I don't want AA to step into my lime light and take it all away from me. So I think, planning for my very first vacum wig is another step to "Stacey's strand by strand achievements"

    Nov 6, 2008

  • Stacey Benioni

    Hi Kath
    Oh I would love to meet up with you. Is it ok if I bring my mother along, I just don't want to go alone, i know sounds childish but it'll be good for me lol. I'm working most days, when is a great day to see you. I don't mind having a night gathering it's really cool.
    So let me know what you would like to do, thanks so much...

    Nov 20, 2008

  • Dielle

    Thanks for the info! I was worried about the scalp thing because I have an extremely sensitive scalp and am also prone to eczema. I also had problems with the lace front coming off, mostly in water, but also when I would brush it with a little too much enthusiasm or when I would put it into a ponytail. I plan on just wearing a bandana in the summer when I ride my horse or will be outside for a long time since georgia summers are horribly hot and humid lol. But I would like one for college, mostly because I either get really really hot or really really cold. Air-conditioning literally gives me a runny nose lol. Plus I have found it is easier to tell people about alopecia after you have known them for awhile. Thanks again!

    Apr 2, 2009

  • Yen

    Hi Kath, thanks for replying to my query about wigs. How did you find the wigs done by haircreations? I have an appointment to see their representative this weekend and I feel a bit daunted by the task of choosing my first wig because I dont want to spend a lot of money on the wrong hairpiece. That would really aggravate my emotional distress. I really have no one to talk to about this condition. The people I've tried to talk about AA just brushed it off and said that it's just hair. Are the wigs from haircreations natural-looking and secure? I dont mind spending a few more dollars for a more genuine-looking hairpiece. I just dont want to draw attention to myself more than what's necessary. Thanks Kath and I look forward to hearing your advice. And thanks for taking the time to listen. =)

    May 4, 2009

  • Yen

    Hi Kath,

    Rose Marie (Deanna) mentioned that you are arranging for Auckland alopecians to meet up. Let me know if I can help in any way. And thank you so much for narrating your experience with Hair Creations. I've been to their shop last week and found a wig that I liked. It's comforting to know that I now have a quick fix to resort to should my alopecia progress to a more severe form. Thanks Kath and have a nice day. =)

    May 11, 2009

  • Sharon

    Hi Kath thanks for the message. Are you heading off on holiday? If you are have a wonderful time.

    It would be really good to organise a get together. Might look at it over the holidays.

    Take care Sharon

    Jul 1, 2009

  • Sharon

    Hi Kath thanks for the reply and yes that would be fantastic if Deanna is happy for us to use her place cool..........I will msg her and see what she thinks.
    Thanks Sharon

    Aug 11, 2009

  • Yen

    Hi Kath! Thanks for dropping by my page. As it turned out, I didnt have to get a wig. Well, not yet anyway. The hairloss has abated and the patch has not gotten any bigger so I'm crossing my fingers that it'll stay that way or better still go away for good! I'm getting my steroid injections today. =)

    Anyway, I hope you're doing good. =)

    Aug 16, 2009

  • Bex Weller

    Hi Kath
    Thanks for the invite! I might even taker u up on it! As my partner & I r moving to Motutapu Island next week, I'll be up auckland way!
    Please contact me with further details on 0274697075 or email bexweller@hotmail.com
    Thanks hopefully meet u soon! :)

    Sep 7, 2009

  • Karina

    Kath..what type of wig do you wear?

    Oct 12, 2009

  • Jan

    Hi Kath,
    Thanks so much for putting up those photos - the short wig looks fabulous! It would be great to chat more.

    Jan

    Oct 12, 2009

  • Yen

    How did the Auckland Alopecians get-together go? I am so sorry for missing that one. Are you thinking of organising another one. I would be very happy to help. :)

    Oct 27, 2009

  • Tania Pitcon

    Hi Kath. I love this site as it shows me that I am definately not alone in what I am going through. I did shave the remaining bits of hair off on boxing day and wow it felt amazing. I have given up on the wig that I bought and wear a cap when I go out. Apart from that I am au-naturale. Since shaving my head I have lost my eye brows and lashes as well. But, hey, it all blends in. Looking at your pics you would never guess that you wear a wig. Your pics are stunning

    Feb 18, 2010

  • Holly Dixon

    Hi Kath,

    Thanks for your comment! It's very exciting to come on here and see others in NZ with Alopecia. I am yet to meet anyone who also has Alopecia, and I certainly don't see any around Wellington going 'au natural', so I'm guessing they must all be wearing fabulous wigs! :)

    May 7, 2010

  • Fiona Coyle (Mum of Madison)

    Hi ya, We are good, I just got back from the school asembly were madi recieved and award. It was very cute, her little bald head up pn stage. Where abouts in NZ are you? i would love for Madi to catch up with others in NZ. She is facinated with the pics on this web site, it would be great for her to meet others with Alopecia. Thanks once again for your message. Fiona

    Jun 10, 2010

  • Fiona Coyle (Mum of Madison)

    Hi Kath, I am in Titirangi and you?

    Jun 17, 2010

  • Fiona Coyle (Mum of Madison)

    Hi Kath, that would be great. I am always up for a coffee at the Hardware. My telephone number is 817-2265. Fiona

    Jun 23, 2010

  • Fiona Coyle (Mum of Madison)

    Hi Kath, we are good, we have just come back from a month back at home in Canada with a stop at Disneyland en route. It was great fun travelling with the kids. Although I have to say the North Americans are a lot more forward when looking our bald child. We were at a McDonald's in rural Ontario and the manager came out an ask Madi if she would like to come back and make herself a sundae. After we left Madi kept asking why that lady did that for her. I told her it was because of her accent and they new she was from another country.

    Anyhow we are glad to be home. Bring on summer! Great to hear from you. Hope to meet with you soon Fiona

    Aug 31, 2010

  • Susannah M

    Hi Kath, thanks for introducing yourself. Yes it would be nice to meet up sometime, or get to know other kids with Alopecia in Auckland. This site is great when I feel a little sad about his hair loss, as I don't feel like he is the only one going through it.

    Sep 23, 2010

  • Jan

    Hi Kath,
    Thanks so much for the comment - I don't get up to Auckland all that often but would be tempted! I've found the Freedom wig difficult in terms of styling and colouring - the lady I went to here is not happy with colouring it and my experience at a regular salon has put me off going that way again!
    You look so good in your photos :)

    Sep 24, 2010