Alopecia World
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Celebrating alopecia
All my life I was known for my beautiful red curls. My hair was my most unique and prized physical feature. Three years ago when my hair suddenly fell out, I was totally shocked. It turns out that I have an autoimmune condition called Alopecia, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair and causes it to fall out. I was devastated. I had never even heard of Alopecia before. I was uncomfortable in my own skin and confused about who I was without my hair. I knew deep down that the loss of my hair was an opportunity to do some soul searching and that I would have to work hard at rediscovering my true self.
I coped with the condition by wearing a wig most of the time. As the years passed, however, I felt less and less like myself with the wig on. I immersed myself in a counseling program and gradually took steps that supported me to “show up” in the world without it. I started to accept myself in new ways and I noticed a shift in my perception.
I have now come to a place in my journey where I feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful in my own skin again. Through my condition, I have discovered many blessings and have come to embrace and celebrate myself. It has allowed me to reconnect authentically, take risks for personal growth, and bring myself fully and openly to all of my relationships. In losing my hair, I actually found myself!
As a teacher, my final step was to reveal my Alopecia to my school community. It was important for me to share this part of my life with my students because I wanted to model being honest and authentic with them as well. Just recently, I shared my story with the school and was received with incredible warmth and compassion. The students encouraged me to be the “real me” and helped me to embrace this step.
The greatest gift in my journey is that I’m no longer attached to my hair growing back. To be able to fully accept and embrace my condition in all areas of my life is the ultimate freedom! By living fully and authentically without my hair, I hope to spread a message of resilience and acceptance…a true gift in my celebration of Alopecia.
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Comment by Nuni Ta on June 7, 2013 at 3:57am
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Very nice, I love your attitude! I always say things happen for a reason and I also accept myself the way I am.
I have a blog, if you want to have a look to my story, other's stories and curiosities about Alopecia Areata.
You are beautiful and inspiring!
https://alopeciaareataishere.wordpress.com/
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Comment by Erin Leach on June 7, 2013 at 9:45am
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Thank you so much Nuni! I totally agree with you...things happen for a reason. I started to ask the question "what is this for?" and it became clear to me that there were many gifts in my struggle. Now I have come to celebrate and find purpose in it all...and love it too! I gradually embraced my alopecia over the last 3 years and in October 2012 I shared myself publicly. Now I can be completely authentic in all areas of my life and it feels so powerful and liberating!
Thank you for your kind words...your blog is fantastic! I look forward to connecting with you more!
You are also very beautiful and inspiring! :)
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Comment by Patricia Gerbaud on June 8, 2013 at 3:21pm
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I lost all my hair in less than a week end Nov.12, I bought a wig because I felt so distressed but very quickly I replaced it by turbans at home. Now I stay "bald" at home (warmer weather !) and have shown myself to some people, mostly friends, my problem is that I've never liked the summer sun (gives me sinusitis) without a hat so I can't go out "bald" and before it was too cold, so I wonder when I'll dare to go out without anything on my head without getting sunburnt or cold ! It's only during the last week that I managed to sleep without anything on.
I accept myself, I put that pic on FB a few days ago altho' I still hope my hair will grow back but since there's no way I can get rid of all the stress I have to cope with ....
6 months without hair and most hairs now and 2 without any eyebrows. Not sure I found myself as you did Erin, maybe it's still too early for me, hope's still there ;)
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