A positive alopecia moment - such a relief!!

I recently started working again as a Night Auditor for a swanky boutique hotel in downtown Nashville, and based on past experience when I went to my interview I brought my "alopecia essentials" kit: a letter from my dermatologist explaining my need to wear wigs, hats, and scarves; a printed copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and a business card with my lawyer's name and phone number, and my godmother's name and phone number (she works for the EEOC.) My boss was very pleasant during the interview, and when I brought up my alopecia and asked if he needed the information I had brought, he told me that the GM had already told him about it (she's a friend of mine too), and that it was unnecessary -- he thought I was easily the most beautiful woman he'd seen in a long time and actually wanted to know how I managed to keep my scarves on with my head so smooth!

Since I've been on my job (it's been about 6 weeks now), I've gotten more compliments on my makeup and my ability to match my scarves to every outfit I own than anything -- and that makes me feel wonderful! I've even come in once or twice on my off days with nothing on my head, which everyone loves -- and because boutique hotels are known for being unique, I actually fit in quite well with the theme of our hotel!

I never knew what a relief it would be to not have to worry about alopecia on my job -- my coworkers and superiors judge me on my ability to do my job (which I do very well) rather than my appearance -- and this is the first time that my alopecia is an enhancement, not a detraction from the job I'm being paid to do!!!

Just thought I would share that positive alopecia moment with everyone this morning -- hope everyone has a great day!

Views: 34

Comment by Diane on July 30, 2009 at 1:00pm
I'm happy for you!
Diane :)
Comment by Karen's Wigs on July 30, 2009 at 4:45pm
This is really good news - especially considering that your "essentials bag" was necessary. Thanks for sharing Kastababy - wonderful news.
Comment by kastababy on July 31, 2009 at 8:54am
@Sandy: Just make sure when you get your letter from your dermatologist, it clearly covers anything that you use to cover your head: Wigs, hats, scarves, turbans, you name it -- because some companies will try to find any loophole they can to exploit; by having the doctor list any possible type of head covering (and including the golden caveat "includes, but not limited to:" you cover all your bases.

I'm on a makeup binge right now -- so I'm off to the MAC counter then headed to bed -- night all!
Comment by Mary on July 31, 2009 at 1:29pm
Way to go! This is wonderful!
Comment by Peggy Knight on July 31, 2009 at 2:40pm
It is awesome when people appriciate you for who you really are as a person. That's all we
really want, right?

Thanks for sharing Kastababy
Comment by Susan - Jon's Mum on August 2, 2009 at 3:58am
That's great! I like your idea of an alopecia essentials kit- good on you.
Comment by claire on August 2, 2009 at 4:07am
thats great glad your happy xx
Comment by Erica on August 5, 2009 at 4:34am
Hi Kasta,

Thanks for posting this. I recently got sacked from a hotel sales job (for non-performance apparently). Although devastated at the time, I'm now feeling a bit happier with it, especially when I think back to some of the narrow-mindedness I experienced whilst working there. Not being equipped with your 'alopecia essentials' kit, I was a little unprepared with how to deal with my GM telling me to take my head scarf off. Yes, I might not necessarily need it but I feel much happier, more confident and more comfortable walking around knowing that my lack of side-burns/bald patches at the side of my head are not visible. I'm not sure what image this scarf potrayed which was not in keeping with their three star corporate look. You're right though - I never experienced any of those kind of problems when working in a five star boutique hotel - maybe teams that are not trying to conform to some type of odd conservatism are much more accepting of our individuality. Oddly, I got sacked a week after the director of sales heard about my alopecia. Can I prove any kind of link? Of course not.

Back to university to study in the autumn but when I'm qualified, I'm going to get myself an essentials kit like yours.
Comment by kastababy on February 1, 2011 at 10:43pm
Erica,

I'm glad my post helped you!

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