I totally suck at drawing on eyebrows - one is always thicker than the other, one is higher than the other, one is longer, or one is ridiculously stubby, etc. Most days I just don't bother, but for some reason I decided I cared this morning. Fast-forward to this afternoon at Macy's with Nan-naw (my grandmother). We are walking around and seem to be going in aimless circles attempting to find the intimates department and I keep noticing these really weird looks. Normally I love "wigging" people… Continue

As today marks the first day of the new year I thought I would continue with a New Year tradition - the making of a New Year resolution. In the past I have not kept my resolutions and I think that the lack of reasonability is to blame. My cure this year is to make one that I am actually capable of keeping. I resolve to teach all that I come in contact with in the New Year about Alopecia Areata. My goal is to change the stigma that a bald woman is either crazy or has cancer. I want to use my… Continue

I firmly believed I had reached a place of genuine acceptance. A place where it was no longer "Why me? Who is this foreign creature staring at me in the mirror?" but "I am beautiful and I am the same Val that I was with hair". Yesterday evening shattered this impression. I was at Bible Study at church, a place I had not gone in a while. I kept making excuses that really covered up how embarrassed I was and the fact that I did not love the new Val. Last night I decided it was long past time to… Continue

Today I wore Flo, my wig, and we had a blast!

I was so excited that those who did not know what I have been going through did not know that she was a wig. That really boosted my confidence today.

However, that does not hold a candle to the compliment I received today. I am really open about the AA. If anyone asks why I have on a hat I tell them that I have AA. Pretty quickly all the little old men and ladies at the retirement community where I work knew and most were really… Continue

Since it's Thanksgiving I decided that giving thanks was in order. I have so much to be thankful for!

- my wonderful family that has been by my side and helped me so much. Specifically my mom who has listened to me cry and shaved my head when I asked her to.

- the opportunity I have to go to college. I am so happy that I live in a country that allows me to pursue my education and allows me to do and become anything that I want.

- this wonderful country - I can't even imagine… Continue

I just recently moved from Georgia to Music City (Nashville, TN). My family - Mom, Dad, Amanda (little sis), Benjamin (little bro) and Beau (little dog) are coming to visit me here for Thanksgiving. Momma is bringing her buzzers to shave off the little bit of hair I have left. I'm excited to be taking control. This way if my hair continues to fall out it will come out as little bitty pieces instead of long strands. However, I'm a little bit scared. I'm scared to be taking the plunge into "bald… Continue