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LeslieAnn Butler

Female

Portland, Oregon

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:: Engaged
About Me:: I'm an artist and author living in Portland, Oregon. I've had aa for about 45 years. My award-winning book, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" is still available at a number of online sources including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Written a few years ago, it's not completely up to date on medical findings, but these are readily available on this site.

Here are a couple of reviews: This "how-to" book provides a much needed text on dealing with emotional and cosmetic aspects of hair loss, whether from alopecia areata or chemotherapy. It details where to find and how to use products for compensating with this loss. It is written in the same bold and bright style that characterizes LeslieAnn's illustrations." -Janet Roberts, M.D., Portland Oregon

"This book is helpful, hopeful, funny and fabulous. It's full of practical advice about wigs, intimate encounters, the inappropriate questions from strangers, and other issues you face when every day is a bad hair day. Women with alopecia, LeslieAnn Butler is your new best friend " -Margie Boul , Columnist, The Oregonian ..

"An essential read, whether you've lost hair, or care about someone who has. Leave it to Leslie Ann to bring humor and glamour to a difficult topic. She is a living testament that the lack of flowing locks is no reason not to live your most glamorous and joyful life. Be inspired and uplifted by this remarkable woman's personal journey." -Nita Lina Howard, Author of A Woman's Journey is Her Legacy

I wrote "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" to help other people -- particularly women and girls --and it's one that I wish I had been able to find when I discovered I had alopecia years ago.

I have stumbled through all the stages of grief (feeling guilty because, after all, there are worse things than alopecia), figuring out how to look normal, bouncing from one treatment to another, buying and ruining or rejecting dozens of wigs, losing every single hair on my body, figuring out how to tell guys I was dating, living in fear of the wind and someone touching my head…all in all, going from heartbreak to acceptance to joy and confidence. And it's all in the book, along with experiences of others, advice on wigs, makeup, products, treatments -- and how you can celebrate your life with alopecia areata, go after your dreams, and know you're not alone."

Hear a live interview at http://www.insidescooplive.com/author-pages/Butler-LeslieAnn-readin....

Visit my artist web site at www.leslieannbutler.com.
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://astore.amazon.com/ngp-20/detail/1933449586

Comment Wall:

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Alana

Hey there Leslie Ann...thanks for the welcome. I've periodically checked out this forum over the past few years, seems like a really great community. Recently I had a disappointing experience with HealingAlopeciaAreata.com that I wanted the alopecia community to know about, so I decided to register for an account.

For me personally, I've done quite a bit of research and spent quite a bit of money trying to deal with this devastating disease. But lately I have come to terms with my condition and now accept that this is the way it's going to be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up...just accepting...and it's a great place to be.

In the next few days I plan on giving a truthful and detailed account of my experience with HealingAlopeciaAreata.com. I have struggled with this decision to take this public (I don't want to deter people who may actually benefit from what HAA.com is trying to do). But in the end I don't want others to go through the ordeal that I experienced.

Once again, thanks for the warm welcome...all the best...Alan

Oct 30, 2013
Stephanie

Thank you for welcoming me! Congrats on your book! Writing and having a book published is a great accomplishment ,especially when it helps others.
I enjoy reading others A stories on here. Great support for us!

Nov 1, 2013
maplel

I am doing well. I tried on wigs yesterday but am still not sure about what to get. I really enjoy this site because I don't know anyone with alopecia and I need to talk about it. I ordered your book and am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for your message

Nov 1, 2013
Lucky

hello Leslie, thank you for welcoming me to this wonderful website. I am going to order your book right away. Just the cover alone looks like I will enjoy it.

Best,

Lucy.

Nov 1, 2013
Melissa

Hello Leslie, thank you for welcoming me. I'm really curious about your book and I will certainly try to find out more about it. Never heard of it here in Portugal, and i'm sure it would be really helpful for a lot of people. Perhaps it will give me the peace of mind i've been looking for, for so long.

Best wishes,

Melissa.

Nov 1, 2013
Patricia

Hi LeslieAnn, thank you for your welcoming. I read that you wrote a book, what is the name?

Nov 1, 2013
jenna

thank you for welcoming me my girls and i are great recovering from a long night last night(girl scout sleepover i volunteered for) its crazy i can go for weeks without anyone saying anything about my daughters mostly bald head but put her in a rooom with 20 1st graders and its more poplular topic than monster high.......i felt like i educated them a little and hopefully they will look at other people who may npt look exactly normal in a different way.......wish i knew how to post pictures on here my munchkins a cutie......might have to check your book out to see that her future will be like.......again thank you!

Nov 2, 2013
Vicki

Hi LeslieAnn,
Thank you for taking the time to welcome me and ask how my daugther and I are doing. She's doing pretty well, waiting for her new hairpiece to come in. She's getting a red one this time. She tries to make the best of it. She's halfway through her hair dressers course. It's hard some days, but I think it's made her more open about her AU. As for me, my AA seems to be giving me more bald spots everyday. Trying to cover it up the best I can, but getting more difficult as the days go on.
I'm going to check out your book. I'm very interested.

Nov 2, 2013
ssaarraahh

Hi, thank you :) I'm well how are you? I see you have a beautiful wig, I'm looking for a really natural one, any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Nov 2, 2013
Anne Katrine Fimreite Fortes

Hello:) thank you for welcoming me:) we are quit fine. My daughter has gone from alopecia areta to totalis now in under one month, so that has been tough.. luckily she takes it good, and she is used to her brother without hair. She has gotten a follea wig, but nearly uses it:) we have decided that this will not break us down and define our kids. Not what we acpected when having kids, but dealing with it and makes the most and best out of life:) how is your day?:)

Nov 3, 2013
Emily Tout

Hi LeslieAnn! I'm doing okay; how are you? How long have you had AU?

-Emily

Nov 3, 2013
Emily Tout

I ask myself the same thing. I was so young when my hair fell out, so I have no idea how to even wash or brush hair, let alone do everything else that other people do! It's crazy. I see you have written a book about coping with Alopecia; I definitely need to look into it. Life can definitely be a struggle surrounded by people with hair, rude comments, insecurities, and personal issues, without having anyone else in my life with Alopecia..

Nov 3, 2013
suz54

i am fine, thank you! i know it will be about a year after the end of my chemotherapy cycles (around march 2014) before i see hair growth again. but you know ...... i don't want to grow it anymore. i am enjoying the freedom from fussing with my hair everyday to fix it, the savings i get from buying shampoo and the creativity i found wearing those head gears like scarves, bandanas, beanies and more. :)

Nov 4, 2013
MagPie

Thank you for your welcome! I am excited to read your book. xxoo

Nov 4, 2013
ria

Thank you for your welcome to the site Ms. Butler. I'm also excited to get your book. Here in Trinidad and Tobago, not much people is aware that alopecia exists.So far I've only met two other persons with it in my country. Just like so many others with Alopecia it has been a difficult road and I'm so happy to finally find a family to whom I can relate to. I'm looking forward to talking with everyone and getting to know you guys. God bless and keep your head high. We are definitely beautiful people!

Nov 4, 2013
cwincos

Hi Leslie Ann, Thank you for the welcome. I'm doing fine. Single mom with two kids so my days pass quickly. Love this site. Whenever I start feeling a little low and have a medical question with regard to the disease, I come and read how others are responding. Thank you for being so active and providing guidance.

Nov 4, 2013
Nads

Hi. I'm doing fine. I was sick for awhile in in the hospital, but I'm better, now. Thanks for asking.:)

Nov 4, 2013
MG

Hello! I'm hanging in there just trying my hardest to stay as upbeat as I can. It's a daily battle but I try to be grateful for all the good things in my life. I'm going to scoop up your book right now. Wish you all the best.

Nov 5, 2013
faithlessb

LeslieAnn, thank you for asking. My daughter, Annie, and I are getting by day by day. I am always awed and ispired by her strength throughout this. Her hair is slowly coming back and her wig allows her to feel "normal". "Normal" in the sense of what a 20 year old in college thinks she should feel.

We both stay positive and realize that there are way worse illnesses that we could be dealing with.

I appreciate you asking. It's extremely tough for me because as a parent I want to fix everything for her but I have no control.

Faith

Nov 5, 2013
Candace

Thank you for the welcome! We have accepted the alopecia. She will not even think about a wig because she in in bio-chem labs. She is now experiencing eyebrows and eyelashes falling out.. That may be her breaking point. Her boyfriend couldn't handle all the questions of his family and friends and politely left alot of pain and said he met the girl of his dreams just at the wrong time! He had been with her for the year process and she didn't see it coming. SHE IS BURYING HERSELF in with her 2 best friends, family, community, work and being a med student. Life is full of challenges and a process. I love your site for all the support, info and life lessons! it has helped me make the "right choices" to help my daughter. Thank you and I hope you are having a great day!

Nov 5, 2013
Destiny

How are you? Your book seems interesting.

Nov 5, 2013
Nads

My doctor told me today that I have something called a 'stricture in my urethra', and that this was what caused my renal failure. I was in the hospital for kidney failure. The toxic levels in my body was part of what caused my hair to fall out. It looks like little bits of it is growing back, so this is good.

Nov 5, 2013
Jesseca

Hi! I really don't mind not having hair! It's nice not having to shave! haha! the only part I truly dislike is not having eyebrows or eyelashes.

Nov 6, 2013
Gumi

Hello! Thank you for asking.

My 4-year-old is such a strong,tough, and sweet girl. She never complains...it makes me worry sometimes,but she cheers me up instead of I cheer her up. I just keep praying her hair grows back soon.....I just wish there will be a cure. I am tired of hearing and reading," nobody knows why" "No cure". not enough research? not enough people to study about alopecia? I'm sorry I get frustrated sometimes. I haven't read your book. I just saw your page and found out so. like other people says," stay positive and realize that there are way worse illnesses that we could be dealing with." I know that but sometimes, you get desperate when your little girl is losing almost all the hair and there is no way for you to stop that. Of course, I keep telling her no matter what, she is beautiful and she is loved by many people. Yes, at the end, I know I need to smile and stay positive. I am the one who supposed to support my little girl but the truth is, SHE is the one who makes me smile and strong. shame on me! I got to be a tough mom. I was just going to say Thank you for your comment and I ended up writing so much.

Nov 6, 2013
Gumi

Ms.LeslieAnn! Thank you for your reply. I just read about SADBE. Have you tried it? do you know anything about it? if so, would you tell me? My baby is still 4 so I don't want to do anything crazy but I'm curious. Also, I heard about gluten free and dairy free. sorry to ask many questions. I just want to get as much as information related to hair loss. Thank you so much for your time!

Nov 6, 2013
Gumi

Oh,wow. Thank you so much for your reply,again. You just gave me hope. Hopefully,her hair will grow back on its own. I don't want that to repeat on her. Definitely,I'll get your book!!! Thank you so much again.

Blessings,Gumi

Nov 6, 2013
Gumi

I just ordered your book!!! I can't wait to read it!

I need to ask few more questions if you don't mind. We just started putting Biotene scalp massage at night and pure rosemary oil in the morning. Have you ever tried any of them?

I heard Biotene vitamin is good for hair grow but she can't swallow vitamin so we bought this shampoo, conditioner and scalp massage set. shampoo and conditioner,,, she doesn't have much hair so we just use little on her head every other day. Rosemary oil is natural so we thought it's harmless. What do you think? I just would like to hear your opinion. Thank you so much for the blessing back and hug. It made me cry.(happy tears)

Thank you so much. I'm so glad you left comment on my wall.I really appreciate it.

Lots of Blessings,Gumi

Nov 6, 2013
kali1512

hi I m not so good my hair was growing and I just notice yesterday that its falling again :/

how are you ? I saw that you write a book, its about alopecia ? do you wear a wig ? I love that hair !!!!!!

Nov 7, 2013
Ktang13

Hello. I'm fine thank you. You? I've just been diagnosed with alopecia areata 4 months ago and been using minoxidil for 1 month. Started spironolactone 2 days ago. As soon as i started spiro, my hair fall seems to have reduced!! I dont want to keep my hopes up though in case its not actually helpful. I am going to the trichologist next week to get proper diagnose, fingers crossed they know whats going on with me. My family has no history of AA, some doctors said the hair will normally grow back within years. I'm still really upset and concerned since i'm partially bald now. Everyday is difficult to cope. I wouldnt go out without a hat but i couldnt wear a hat forever can I? :( ordered a wig as well. Hope it will arrive soon!.. Plus i play lacrosse, because of my hair i havent been to training for weeks and im really gutted! I'm afraid i couldnt keep my spot on the team any longer if i dont turn up soon.

You look absolutely AMAZING with your wig. You re such a strong and beautiful women!! How do you cope with all these?? And any advice on playing sports wearing wig falling off? Looking forward to your reply. Thanks xx

Nov 10, 2013
Tracy

Hello! My daughter is doing well. She had a rough start to her second year of college, but is getting better. She decided to switch her majors and the school she was at didn't offer speech and hearing, so she transferred to Cortland. She also missed being on the track team, and Cortland has a great team. She had a rough start, not knowing anyone and dealing with her alopecia. Her roommates are very supportive of her which is wonderful. She was wearing a wig and baseball cap for track practice and finally got up enough nerve to tell the team. Things are going much better and she finally seems to be in a good place, which we are so grateful for! Thanks so much for asking!

Nov 10, 2013
jmgreene67

We're doing well, thank you for accepting us into this community! My daughter started losing her hair when she was 1 1/2 years old. At 5, she lost her eyebrows and eyelashes, but her eyelashes did grow back -- nothing else has. She is about half-bald on her head. She's 6 years old now and in first grade. She has a large assortment of hats and she loves to wear them but only out of the house; we're not sure at this point if she'll wear a wig (she has Down syndrome and is mostly non-verbal, otherwise we'd ask her her own opinion on this :) Do you have any suggestions for wigs that would be most comfortable for a child to wear?

Nov 12, 2013
Lyndsi

Hello!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post back :( You are the very first person to welcome me to AW!! Thank you! Your pictures are beautiful and you are inspiring! Keep a smile on :)

Nov 17, 2013
Yuri Kim

Thank you so much for commenting on my profile, I am sorry it took me time to reply. I am going to start reading you book, and congratulations for the awards on your book. Thank you again!

Nov 18, 2013
alopeciamami

Thank you for the welcome! I look forward to reading your book.

If you have the time, please check out my writing at: http://myalopeciaproject.wordpress.com. I would love if you (or anyone else that reads this) left any comments/feedback on my blog! This can be so isolating and I'm learning that the best way to cope is to share! XO

Take care!

XO

Nov 18, 2013
kristy

Life is good, would be better is it weren't so rainy in Portland. Life is busy with my fight to finish my MS degree, and keep my kid busy. My hair is in a regrowth stage, with only 3 big patches still to fill in, hoping it will stay, but we will see. So far I haven't done anything but apply steroid cream occasionally when it was really itchy, and I keep shaving it all about once a week, and every time we shave it my husband tells me he can tell its filling in.

Keep me updated if you know of any events occurring in the Portland area, it seems like everything happens so far away!

Nov 18, 2013
Candace

After me telling you about Sydney - I forgot the real reason of getting a hold of you is that your book put everything perfect so anyone can process Alopecia. It is a reference in our house and all of Sydney's friends and family's have borrowed and or purchased their own.

You are an amazing person!!!!!

Thank you for being you!

Nov 19, 2013
bald.yet.cool.

Hello! I'm great how are you? I find it fantastic that you wrote a book!

Nov 21, 2013
Amy

We are doing ok. We have a lot of questions without any answers. It's hard watching her hair thin daily and not knowing what her future looks like. Thanks for asking! I'm so glad there are people here who can give me "real world" advice and experience.

Nov 21, 2013
Nicola

Hi Leslie Ann..
Sorry that it has taken so long for me to reply to your message, I tried to reply earlier but don't think it worked so thought I'd try again. It's really nice to have a welcoming message on this site (my first) so thank you!! Fab that you have written a book and won 2 awards for it, will see if it's available on Amazon UK. I'm doing ok thanks, think I'm beginning to have some success/ regrowth with a gluten free and virtually grain free diet with supplementary liquid vitamin D3 and coconut oil 3 times a day. :)

How are you doing?

Nicola x

Nov 22, 2013
Staciee

Thank you for the welcome message. It looks like you have received many positive comments on your book. It's a hard thing to digest even after so many years so I look forward to hearing from another's perspective.

Best regards,

Stacie

Nov 25, 2013
Mariya Aziata

Hello! I would like to read your book, if it has been translated into Russian)))) And greetings from St. - Petersburg!!

Glad to be a part of your team!

Nov 26, 2013
dasd68

Hello! Thanks for the Welcome! I am doing good today, how are you? Been looking at your photos & reading about your book! Looks like a good read! Very positive & uplifting!!!

Nov 26, 2013
jess

Hi. I am doing okay, just have lots of questions. I want to know that i am doing everything possible to keep the hair i have if possible. I haven't told my boyfriend yet, i am afraid he will leave me :( he keeps asking about my eyebrows..

Nov 27, 2013
Hairraiser

Hey LeslieAnn--- Thanks for the welcome. I've just read through all the amazing stuff you've done -- book, TV, etc. I like your positive spirit and humour! Happy Thanksgiving! Peter

Nov 28, 2013
Milena

Hello, i am excellent. How are you? I am here to hear other's experinces and to feel that i am not the only person with this problem. This site looks really interesting and with good purpose. Besides that i have never talked to people with alopecia, so this is my chance. I have a great number of questions and i would like to read your book. :) :)

Nov 30, 2013
Milena

That's why i am here to get answers and support, nice to hear that! Is your book available online? Hugs to you also!

Nov 30, 2013
Milena

Ok, thank you! I am looking forward to reading the book.

Dec 1, 2013
athenasdad

My daughter is 2 and a half now. She was around 18 months when she was diagnosed. I'll send you pictures if you like. Have you tried a gluten/dairy free diet? Or a probiotic? It's amazing to me that the diet has not been more talked about. My email is gregsantini@yahoo.com

Dec 4, 2013
gailgab

Good Morning Leslie Ann,

I love all your pictures. I think your book is a "must have" for me. I am an animal lover beyond words. I love your kitty in the basket. I have a senior kitty that fills my heart with love and laughter every day. Happy Holidays to you.

Gail

Dec 17, 2013
Niece

Yes, I am wearing a wig. I went from a full head of hair to not a hair on my head in about three months. I think i might get my eyebrows tatooed on and i dont like false eye lashes but will try them for special events. Are there any good books or anything that could help me thru this.There is nobody in my family with it and I dont know anyone that is dealing with this. I feel so alone.

Dec 23, 2013

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