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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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Mallorie Varchetto

thanks you , glad i joined :)

Nov 14, 2009
Diane Holland

We are about 30 miles away. I am 75 south...Douglasville is 20 west.

Nov 16, 2009
zee

Thanks for welcoming me Linda!

Nov 16, 2009
Pat Latina

Thanks Linda !!

Nov 22, 2009
suzie

Hey girl how are you doing?!

Jan 30, 2010
Doll

Thank you so much Linda=]
Today I went to the doctor's and we decided not to try treatment(all those shots in your scalp) and interestingly enough she said something very close to what you did. So I guess if two smart ladies, who have probably never met said that, then its probably right =]

take care!

Feb 19, 2010
Sooyeon Lee

just stopped by to say hi!

Feb 25, 2010
Leresa

Thanks for welcoming me. Yeah it's my tatt. It's crazy because the tattooist said it would be hard for him to do marilyn monroe without the hair... So odd & I thought it would be less work for him:)-he is now an educated tattooist on alopecia.

Mar 6, 2010
Nicole Davis

Hello...thanks for the welcome. I look forward to being a part of this community.

Mar 11, 2010
patricia whitehead

Hi Linda thanks for the welcome, I hope to be putting a photo up soon, and to stop by more often. Blessings
Patricia

Mar 14, 2010
Bernice Jones Williams

Thanks for sharing your beautiful, brave story. I've been on TV, News and the cover of NAAF but most of the time I wear a suction hair prosthesis. Living in cold Michigan, I really need hair to keep warm, even at night. I finally can accepted my baldness after being in denial for 35 years. You can read my whole story of my web site www.hairconnectionplus.com....... Bernice Williams

Mar 22, 2010
Susan P aka DGADBS

Hi Linda, great to hear about the lucky number 222! We did it, my man shaved my head last night, I had lost more hair than I had thought once we used the clippers there were patches I didn't even know were there. Good thing I decided when I did because I don't think I had much time left anyway. Now if I could only get a clean enough shave so I can great rid of the black and white patched look :) What an experience I have to say. Thanks for your support, you look absolutely lovely.

Apr 1, 2010
Susan P aka DGADBS

Hey Linda, well I'm back from vacation and it's my first day on the job with my baldness, what a challenge. I feel sick, wish me luck.

Apr 12, 2010
Susan P aka DGADBS

Linda I have to say my first day back to work bald was a great day. I even got referred to as an Egyptian Goddess!!! Hey I'm going to milk that one. So needless to say I wasted most of my vacation worrying about how people were going to react to my baldness. Turns out your right "Bald is so darn Beautiful" Thank you my friend

Apr 13, 2010
Jordyn Charthern

too all

Apr 26, 2010
Sarah Car

Hi Linda! I would love to get together! I have lived in York for 5 years but don't know anyone with Alopecia. So it would be wonderful to connect with you! I am starting a new job next week so I need to get a feel for my schedule, but I will let you know about availability soon. Have a blessed day!

May 14, 2010
Danielle Pace

Thanks luv! i am happy to be here.

May 15, 2010
Monica LUPUS MATTERS Ellis

Hi linda,thank u soooooooo much for the birthday wish:) have a blessed day!!!

Jun 22, 2010
Joye Pressley

Thanks for the Welcome Linda. I'm realy excited about this site. Talk to you soon. Have a Blessed Day!!!!

Jun 29, 2010
Elith Williams

Thank you so much for the welcome. I really like this site.

Jul 3, 2010
Tracey Tiznor

Hi Linda; Thank U for hitten my page........feel free to add me as a friend, Im still learnin my buttons.......LoL

Jul 13, 2010
De'Andrea Freeman

Linda, thanks for the wonderful comment! I swear your story sounds just like mine, always trying to hide it! And just like you, this is the best move I've made in more than 20 years of hiding my alopecia. Again, Thank you!! You got it going on!!!!

Jul 13, 2010
Trina Berry

Thanks for the welcome and the compliment Linda. I really appreciate it. I'm hopeful to find strength and inspiration on here as I find acceptance of my CCCA.

Jul 22, 2010
Retha

Thank you for starting Alopecia World

Jul 22, 2010
Trina Berry

Linda, Thanks. I have joined the Sisterhood of Woman Who Shaved Their Heads. This is partly how I found the inspiration to shave mines.

Aug 5, 2010
Linda Rollins

Hi Linda, (nice name) :), thanks for the welcome, I'm so glad i found this site. Its an outlet to finally be able to express yourself. I'm not bold enough to go bald yet but who knows what will happen over time and support I receive from people like you.

Aug 5, 2010
hannah sophia holland

Hi Linda, thanks for the welcome and the comment! :D
How are you?
xxx

Aug 15, 2010
stephanie a ponteau

Thank you very much.

Aug 16, 2010
Nichole Christian Durand

Thank you

Aug 18, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hey Linda, I wanted to drop by and see how you are doing?

Aug 19, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

I know what you mean, our grandson is 3 months!

Aug 19, 2010
Valerie Hutcherson

Hi Linda,
Thanks for the welcome. I'm so happy to have found this site. I love your pictures. You look beautiful with your bald head. I'm not there yet but I hope one day that I have your confidence!
Valerie

Sep 24, 2010
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hi Linda, You were on my mind today, so I thought I would drop by and say Hi. Hope you are doing well! Cheryl xo

Oct 16, 2010
Lori D

Hi, Linda! Thanks! I've been on here for about two years... I think. I was checking in every now and then. I've been using my membership a lot lately. I think I'm going to set a goal for "letting it all hang out" in the summer. Right now, I'm working up the courage and trying to keep my head warm! Looking forward to the self-esteem boost though! :o)

Oct 23, 2010
Sequoia a.k.a. Cookie

Thanks!

Nov 8, 2010
Barbara Fowlks

Thanks Linda, just embracing what God gave me plus you have to be bold to go "bald". I often questioned God as to why out of 9 girls in my family I had to be the one with AA. I finally figured it out, although all of my family si behind me, none of the others are strong enough, nor bold enough to rock this look. Hey have a great day!

Jan 7, 2011
Angie P

Hi Linda. What's going on? Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the friending. :)

Jan 12, 2011
Angie

Wow! Sista got soul. Thank you. You are so beautiful and full of life. I can feel it all the way here in GA. When or if I have to shave. I'm going to turn on my computer and sign on to Alopecia world world and look for Linda. Thank you.

Jan 13, 2011
Judy

I love your attitude. I wish I could be so brave. I have had alopecia since I was 11 years old. For the most part I do not let it get in the way of my daily activities, but it is still something that I do not share with people unless they are very, very close to me.

Feb 2, 2011
Angie

Hi Linda,

Thank you for saying hello to me. You're beautiful and your family is beautiful! God bless you always!

Angie

Apr 11, 2011
Tay

Thank you. My girls are twins and I have an eight year old son. Yes we can meet. That would be good. I've been really struggling with accepting hair loss. I have not been myself this pass year. I've been letting this situation control me and I need to get out.

Jul 11, 2011
jean

hey linda, how are you and your family. just wanted to say hello and thank you for your message. it encourges me to stay bald. sometimes i think about wearing a wig in the winter months, but then i think back to how free i am without it. yu are so right, the comments are wonderful, i shared with someone else the comment i heard most of all is you are so beautiful, you are working that look. but anyway, i thank GOD that i know i am beautiful in and out. thanks for your message. have a great weekend, jean

Jul 16, 2011
Clayton

Surprise!!! I know, I know. It HAS been a while, but there I had a legitimate reason for being away so long. Things are fine now and I plan on spending time on AW like I used to.

I hope you'll have me, peace!

Jul 17, 2011
for my loving daughter KT

Hi Linda my nmae is Francheskia and my daughter's nmae is KT..we found out is has alopecia a few months ago...I'm trying to be stronge for her and me..so confused about is
.. not sure how I'm suppose to make it through the school year. Staying Postive!!

Jul 24, 2011
Cheryl, Co-founder

Hi Linda,

You were on my mind, so I thought I would drop by and say hello. How are you?

Jul 29, 2011
PJ

thanks.

Sep 14, 2011
PJ

So what do you use on your head...it is so even toned brown...you're so pretty and it looks nice on you.

Sep 14, 2011
Mrs.B

Hey Linda Thank you for befriending me...I feel so welcome amoungst my peers..

Oct 3, 2011
Linda M Mizell

HI LINDA,

THANK YOU FOR EXCEPTING ME AS A FRIEND:) I AM SO GLAD I FOUND ALOPECIA WORD THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME JUST THE LITTLE TIME I FOUND ALOPECIA WORLD I HAVE LEARNED ALOT!!!! :)

Oct 7, 2011
Tavy

Thank you!

Jan 19, 2012

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