I was down at the Jersey shore with my family. I guess I was 13 or 14 years old, the oldest of 4 kids and AU for ten years by then. We had just reached the Jenkinson's boardwalk when this kid of 8 or 9 comes up to me and says, "Hey! You have funny hair!" (I wouldn't knock off the fuzz for another seven years) I replied, "You're right! I'm from Mars!" This didn't phaze him in the least. "You are not!", he exclaimed. I put on a frightened expression, glanced left, glanced right. Then leaned down to him and whispered, "You're right! I'm from Jupiter!" His eyes grew wide and he gasped! He ran across the boardwalk to his Mom. I watched as he tugged on her skirt while he pointed at me. The Mom looked at me, then down at her son and smacked him right across the chops!! I could hear her retort. She said, "Don't ever lie to me!"

My family had moved a small distance down the boardwalk and as I caught up my Mom asked me what the fuss was all about. I played innocent. The kid's Mom had shocked me with her reaction, but I still thought it was one of the funnier things to happen to me in a while.

For anyone who grew up with this condition, more often than not, kids could deal out the most fiendish tortures to those they considered "different". I guess I could dwell on my own personal Hell as I grew into my teen years, but I doubt reliving all that could really help you or me in this forum. I know it happened to me, I know I hated it at the time, but I am stronger because of it. I can read people like a book because of it. I think the most wonderful thing about this site is that all you newly-made alopecians don't have to go through all that. I never knew other people like me existed! Here, in one place, is all the experience and know-how necessary to help all of us along. Just knowing there are others like us existing "out there" in the real world. And not just existing, but flourishing with wonderful friends, families and opportunities!

We all have lives to lead and there is literally nothing that can prevent us from doing anything we want! Except maybe donate hair to "Locks of Love", or do ads for shampoo and conditioner, or hair gel for men, etc. ;)