I think that the hardest thing about Alopecia is accepting it. Sure, we can slap on a wig, hat or turban to hide ourselves within society, but to actually accept hair loss and who we are with it is an achievement not all obtain easily.

Marketing and media have influenced society in becoming a place only for those of beauty, and have successfully painted a picture of what they claim — perfection looks like. This has caused a chain reaction in billions of people, setting out to become 'beautiful' in order to be socially accepted.

Amongst the billions, scattered in all parts of the world, is the small niche that have Alopecia. Whether it be partial, or total hairless — we all struggle to hide it, often denying it ourselves, in order to have a place in society.

An auto-immune disease beyond our control has taken our hair from us, yet others feel the need to discriminate us and accuse us of abnormality. Alopecia then becomes something that we have to deal with, rather than it being a part of who we are.

It takes courage, to accept ourselves, and begin living our lives again. Life without fear of rejection, without judgement, and without discrimination. Alopecia is a part of us, and we are equal to everyone else in this world — and as soon as we can accept this, the world will follow.

We are all beautiful people, with or without hair, we just need to realise that truth, because life is what you make of it.