Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Going out in public bald for the first time!
So I shaved my head about two weeks ago and have been wearing a wig or hat at all times. I started to show some of my friends my bald head one at a time when I would see them. They have all been supportive and have asked questions about when it will grow back and why it fell out. My hair loss came on fast and some of them had no idea this was a problem. I educated them and I found that alot of them know someone that has AA. I have been trying to think of ways to slowly ease into being bald in public all the time. ( I hate hats and itchy wigs) So the other day I started to ride around in my truck bald and that way I could get use to people staring at me but I dont have to talk to them about it or explain myself to anyone. Then we stopped at the store and I told my husband I think I'm ready to go into the store bald and he said "Do what makes you comfortable". I laughted at him and said "no part of dealing with this is comfortable at first". But I did it anyway. I knew the trip would be in and out of the store quick so I thought I can do this. We got out of the truck I left my sunglasses on and bowed my head and made him hold my hand the entire time. I told him I feel more comfortable holding his hand while doing this for the first time. He was great about it all. I figured if I keep my head down I wont have to see peoples reaction. I can just get use to being in public bald first. Can I just tell you that I got the strangest looks. I came around an aisle in the store and this lady did a double take like I scared her or caught her off guard. I kind of laught but again it was wierd. This little girl about 10 years old looks at me with concern and then when she noticed that I could see her she gaves me a great big cheesey smile and I smiled back. She told her mom "Thats cool that lady has no hair". Again I had to laugh alittle. I think my husband was more worried about how I was feeling being in the store than I was. Probably because he sees me on my bad days. I'm going to continue these baby steps in hopes that some day I will be okay with just being me. I have good spirits most of the time and the more I show people and the more I go out the better I feel with this. The reason that I'm writting this is because I hope that it can help someone that is feeling the way I do about how to approch the scary thought of going bald in public.
-
Comment by Robbi on August 23, 2010 at 4:04pm
-
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You have incredible amount of courage to take those steps; I hope one day to do the same. I'm scared of the types of reactions I would get, although I bet I'd be surprised how some people can respond, such as the little girl you metioned. Funny how sometimes it's the adults who need to grow up more than the little ones. :)
-
Comment by Trina Berry on August 23, 2010 at 4:07pm
-
Jeannie, WOW!! I know it took so much courage for you to step out of the truck. I'm so proud of you and you're such an inspiration. I used to wear wigs but now I'm walking around in public with hats. I hope to one day have the same courage and take those baby steps in public without any "cover" on my head. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!
-
Comment by Bald and Fabulous AKA Terri on August 23, 2010 at 8:31pm
-
WOW...congratulations. You are definitely a brave woman and one day I hope to follow suit. I agree that telling and showing your friends does make a difference as I too have started doing that. That having alopecia is not something that needs to be kept a secret. Its wonderful to hear you share your experience and kept up the wonderful work. :)
-
Comment by Jeannie Terrel on August 23, 2010 at 9:14pm
-
I went from a full head of hair to bald in public in 3 months. I figure the faster I push myself to do it the less time I will spend worring about it. I got this courage from talking to people on this site. So THANK YOU to everyone on this forum for posting your experiences.
-
Comment by Karen Grevious on August 23, 2010 at 10:39pm
-
Jeannie, my hair loss was almost as fast as yours. This summer I decided I wasn't going to suffer in wigs anymore. I laught when I listen to my girlfriends and coworkers complain about the humidity and problems with their hair. I just chime in that, "Sure glad I don't have that problem." I would love to have my hair back, but often don't miss some of the headaches that came with hair, e.g. clogged up bathroom drains, expensive hair products, using the blow drying when it is 85 degrees, timing getting ready for special occasions with how long it would take to do my hair, etc. I think I miss my eyebrows and eyelashes way more than I miss my hair because they defined my face. Remember it really isn't about how others react to your lack of hair. It is about how you feel when you look in the mirror. I avoided mirrors for the past 3 years (how long I've had AA). Now I can look in the mirrow and see "me" again. Always hold your head up!!!
-
Comment by Pat Latina on August 24, 2010 at 5:47am
-
WOW! WOW! WOW! is all I can say. Congrats! Someday I hope to be as courages as you are. I agree with you that this site really has help me be more open to telling ppl about my Alopecia. I look forward to the day that I can just be me and go bald outside. Thanks for sharing. And, kudos to your husband for supporting you in whatever you decide to do with Alopecia (he sounds alot like my husband). Take care.
-
Comment by Lisa Santer on August 24, 2010 at 6:22am
-
Jeannie, Congratulations on one big "baby step!" I'm so glad for you that you decided to push yourself, in your own way and time. I get it about keeping your head down, so you didn't have to see all the reactions. My bet is that in a little while, when you keep your head up looking confident, you'll see FAR fewer stares and such than you imagined. Congrats also to your husband, on being there for you in a way that truly supported you.
-
Comment by Marisa on August 24, 2010 at 8:11am
-
way to go!!!
-
Comment by Julia S on August 24, 2010 at 8:57am
-
Jeannie,
What an inspiration you are. I just shaved the lower half of my head last night, not quite ready to shave the top half. I still wear my hair down so it covers it most of the time. I hope to have your courage when I shave the rest of my hair in 11 days just in time for Alopecia Awareness Month.
-
Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on September 2, 2010 at 4:13pm
-
Jeannie, Congratulations on your big step. I remember the first time I went out to a public place to meet friends bald. I think I stood at with my hand on the doorknob for 5 minutes. Before I took a deep breath and walked out. I had a lot of encouraging friends and family and they supported me all along the way. I can think of one particular friend, Stephanie, who always new how to make the smallest things grand... So you can imagine her reaction to this step. I agree with Lisa, as you get more confident and start to walk with your head up and looking confident, you will probably notice far fewer stares. As my friend stephanie would say "WOO WOO!"
Comment
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Alopecia World to add comments!
Join Alopecia World