I will forever remember Saturday, March 5, 2011, the day I buzzed off what appeared to look like a light, scattered bird's nest on my head. It was amazing. I returned to my hometown, NYC, to my hairdresser of 19 years, Skipper Edwards. I initially went to Skipper because he was my sister's hairdresser; he was good with hair of women of color. Being bi-racial my hair was kinky, although it could be blown out. He proceeded, throughout the years to cut, style my hair in an appropriate way to hide my spots. He also recommended my dying my hair a lighter color as well, to incorporate the spots. Two weeks ago I phoned him and sent him photos (included in my photos on my profile page) of how bad the spots were that I could no longer cover them. He agreed that it was time. He also agreed, as my long-time hairdresser and friend, to do the honors of cutting down and buzzing my head. My wonderful twin sister Barbara memorialized this event by taking photos:

Below, what my hair looked like when wet. Spots were ridiculous.



The First Cut:


Getting Liberated:


All Smiles:


My hairdresser and friend, Skipper and me:


My wonderful twin sister Barbara and me:


When I finally saw myself bald I felt released, free. No more worrying about my spots when the wind blows. I love the shape of my head. My cheekbones - I look like my Mom when she was bald from chemotherapy. I remember telling her "Ma you have a great shaped head; I suppose mine is the same shape"; I was right. Most of all Skipper and my sister said I looked beautiful.

When I returned home today to Philadelphia, I was very pleasantly surprised; my husband told me I looked more beautiful than before and thought that my head was sexy. My life already has taken a turn for the better. I am so happy and excited to move forward with this; no more worries, no more comb-overs. I purchased two Buffs-they're AWESOME. Keep my head warm and are funky, along with some hats.

Last week I was on a local television show on NBC for the third time-I am a musician, singer/songwriter. The past two times I was on the show I wore hats because I feared what the cameras might show. I'm glad to have pulled it off, but I look forward to going on with my Royal Baldness. Not resting on this, I am putting together a music benefit in Philadelphia to benefit children with alopecia who would like to attend the annual camp at the NAAF Conference but cannot afford to go so that they can. All systems go; I've gotten great responses with people on board; time to shine the light, inform, educate and help others.

Thank you Alopecia World and all of the members for letting me stand on your backs and holding me up when I was so scared to take this first step. I know it is a difficult road ahead, but with all of you, I know I will prevail.

Onward and Upward.

Lili (aka Eulalia - you may wonder why I sign my middle name but use my birth name on my profile; I've never used that name and never owned it; I'm "owning" it now, like I'm owning my alopecia. Time to remove the training wheels and ride the bike).