Comment by lynne on May 15, 2011 at 11:15am

I wanted to start a support group in my area but found out there was one already, i was told to find an area where you could have a meetin first, ie a cafe, a community centre ect and then gte leaflets made up to let people know whats on and when. ask a friend or relative to help you do this also. im sure there is a site on here to help with this or someone will hopefully answer you sn, sorry i may not have helped you much there, x

Comment by Bald and Fabulous AKA Terri on May 15, 2011 at 3:36pm

That is awesome Sinsemilla. LOL. I am too looking at an awareness event for my area. I got in contact with a support group in my area and hoping to get a good first turn out for an event I'm planning. So far I have used AW and FB to spread the word and soon making up some posters to hang up at doctors offices and wig boutiques.

Comment by Lisa-Lynn Marini on May 15, 2011 at 4:33pm

hahaha sinsemilla that is too funny it made my day ty :)

Comment by Tallgirl on May 15, 2011 at 7:40pm

If you are brave, send a medical info sheet to the local newspaper or volunteer to be interviewed about human feelings caused by uninformed citizens. If you want to be safe, don't wear anything that makes you a target of racial bias: choose another topper (scarf, hat). If you want to use humor, think of a creative but positive note to send to that neighbor...ask for a coffee break in a public place to give more info about alopecia, and bring hubby along.

Comment by Petra on May 15, 2011 at 9:24pm

Some people just make stupid remarks, maybe because they are just stupid people. Don't change who you are or what you wear just to appease others. Remember the people that truly care about you accept you as you are and that's what is really important.

Comment by Tallgirl on May 15, 2011 at 9:54pm

I live in a country where some people ASSUMED some Sikhs were another religion because of their turbans, and did harm to them. Wrong, wrong, wrong....assumption or not. My belief is that until you know what you are dealing with, it is better to NOT cause a possibly-insane person to make you a target. It's just like flipping off another driver who turns out to attack you or your car with a crowbar. Sure, the impulse is there to retaliate for emotional distress or hurt, but if that inquisitive person is mentally strange or impulsive, it may lead to long-term or worse taunting.

If you are already a sensitive person, what is wrong with being proactive in your own community or school? You may even have a lot of even more shy, hidden or younger alopecians grateful that you DID take the calm or positive approach to teach a bully about a condition that he/she never imagined. Really...would YOU have known about alopecia if it hadn't happened to you? Once I told some of my students what I had, they in turn got on the case of any new students who dared to tease me. If I hadn't been positive and kind in the first place, they could have easily ganged up on me.

It is too bad that the comedians have such a field day with the subject of hairloss and toupees, or that the young generation doesn't realize that they ALL will live in a world with many bald or wigged friends, lovers and spouses by age 60! I like the shows that teach us all to accept others for personality, not looks...and the people who can accept themselves and make gentle jokes to preserve ego! Honey instead of vinegar...remember?

Comment by Pamela Rosse on May 16, 2011 at 1:30am

Sadly the world is full of ignorant people. Education starts us. My entire neighborhood now knows about alopecia because I started going out with scarves, hats & al natural when walking our dogs. We, my husband & Ibwould be stoped & asked if it was of course cancer. No, I did not get tired of being asksdnthis, because the question came from the heart, it came from a good place, while others asked if my health was ok, knowing I have other medical problems. It gave me a window of opportunity to educate & I took it. One of our neighbor girls did a science report on alopecia. Education begins & ends with us. Good luck.

Comment by Joseph Roper on May 16, 2011 at 6:15pm

That kind of behavior can really shake a person up. I am sorry that you had to experience it. In all probability you are likely to have ongoing problems with that very rude neighbor. I don't think that going down to his level will solve anything, but if he continues you will probably need to confront him.

Comment by Norm on May 16, 2011 at 7:01pm

This is all about that "dislike for the unlike", which many people seem to have. It's basically not understanding why anyone should be different to them, and shows a lack of intelligence or education.... it's not hard to turn the table on such people with a few well-chosen words.
In the case of bullies, it's about making themselves look good at the expense of others, so if you can manage to appear strong and exude an air of confidence, they'll not dare to try and hang their insecurities on you. Again, having a few retorts for the likely comments, and having the nerve to stand your ground and call their bluff, does the trick. It's an ace feeling when you can get a bully's friends to laugh at him and make him look an arse, oh yes :)

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