Comment by Karen on March 17, 2008 at 8:11pm

Hi Miranda,

my daughter had just started Kinder this year and although we did get a wig for her, she, like your daughter hated it. I ended up getting her another one which has a mono top and she said that this one is more comfortable than the other one so she will wear it on special occassions. She goes to school with a scarf on now. Kids in Kinder don't seem to notice at all that Amber is lacking in hair. We get the odd question from parents are to why she is wearing a scarf all the time and I just tell them that she has alopecia. Chances are they too will know someone else with the condition. I remember telling Amber's teacher and was surprised when she said her nephew has it as well so she knows exactly what it is.

The best wigs I have seen so far is the suction base ones. This means that the head has to be completly bald but it is probably the only one that kids can be truly active in without being afraid that it will fall off. I had a friend (AU) who wore it on a ride and he said it just didn't fall off. Since Amber has not lost her all her hair, it is not an option for us now but if she has like 10% of her hair left than we would not hestitate in getting her one. I have friend whose daughter wears it and she said that she had to actually tell her daughter's teacher which child in class that has alopecia because the teacher was not able to tell. It is practically undectable as a wig andI have seen about 4 people with it on.

I think we have chosen to let Amber take the lead. If she wants a wig than we will get her one. If she doesn't than we just sit back and give her the right tools to face the world as she is. I have no doubt that it will be hard but different children go through different things. We chosen a small school and will probably do a talk on alopecia about it next year.

So heres to us and heres to the strength that we need to give our daughters the confidence that they need.

Comment by Cindy on March 17, 2008 at 8:45pm

My daughter Samantha entered Kindergarten this fall with hair. We were able to cover her patches with headbands. By the time fall came she quickly lost the rest of her hair and shortly later her lashes and other brow started coming out. I personally do not share her Aleopica with others outside our social network and family. Of course each situation is different and people have different views. For me, I don't feel that I need to draw attention to Samantha by announcing to the class that Samantha has no hair due to Aleopica. The kids in the class have noticed that Samantha has few lashes and brows and the kids at this age just don't care. Samantha may tell them she has AA and the kids know she wears a wig because she was excited to share the news when she got it. I have no idea what the parents in the class know and I don't care. The parents in her class have never asked about it. So, my point is that Samantha is not treated any different at school and she just goes about her life and has not let her AA get in the way of the things she enjoys.

Samantha has been fortunate to get into a special program at school. With this program, she will travel grade to grade with her current classmates for the next 4 years. I find this situation to be an advantage to Samantha since her peers know her and she will never have to feel like the odd one out and be made fun by kids who don't know her each school year.

You will be surprised how resilient kids at the age are. We need to put our kids in a variety of social situations to help the adapt to day-to-day life events. They, along with us at the parents will learn to cope and effective deal with AA in a positive way.

As your prepare to enter Kindergarten next year think about the growth your child will have and the resilience and strength they will project...

Cindy

Comment by MARIA (mom of Savanna) on March 19, 2008 at 2:08pm

Hello Miranda,

My daughter started kindergarden this year, but i put her in head-start only because i wanted her to meet kids that she will eventually go to kindergarden with, and at that young of age children are curious but very accepting, She did excellent in head start and loved it, We live in a small community and my kids go to a small school and everyone know everyone, The school faculity is wonderful to her and she has so many friends, I cant tell you how many come over to the house to play and all the parents have accepted Savanna the way she is..I am not going to say everything has been peaches and cream for savanna, she has a few issues and i make a point to talk to the teachers and principal and i put a stop to what ever is bothering her but over all she has a great year and doesnt stop her from learning...she doesnt wear a wig to school because she doesnt want to, she likes to wear ball caps and that is what she is comfortable with, I let savanna make that decision and i just go a long with her, I let her know everyday that i love her and will always be there for her and in my heart she is the most beautiful girl i know

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