I'm only 13 and it's really tough

So I have had alopecia areata since I was two. I have always had somewhat of long thin hair with little patches that nobody ever noticed. I decided to get hair extensions last year which pulled out about 40% percent of my hair but not all of it.Last month I had a fight with my best friend and all my hair fell out.I wear a wig now(im only 13)and its really tough. I have never talked to anyone with this disease who is my age and I hope I can meet someone who does:)thanks

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Comment by Brian40below on April 16, 2013 at 1:42am

Hello Madison, I have had alopecia for 15 years and in that 15 years I started having it at 10 years old. I can relate to the struggles in school and just going anywhere basically, I am truly sorry that you are having a tough time right now. I promise you it does get better, I know it's hard right now but it does get better. You might have heard this before but hair is hair, you as a person is still here today. Don't let it beat you, because there are caring people in this world and I guarantee there are people who love you for who you are and not for your hair. Take care and God Bless!

Comment by Tallgirl on April 16, 2013 at 2:34am

New York
Support Group
Long Island, NY
Margaret Staib
631.680.0148

Manhattan, NY
Jodi Schaiman
917.399.9892

Bedford, NY
Nancy Maniscalco
914.837.3055

Binghamtom, NY
Karen King
607.760.0143

Albany, NY
Robyn Signorelli
518.591.0371

Telephone Contact
Buffalo, NY
Nancy DiBella
716.876.7214

Rochester, NY
Barbara Figura
585.872.4617

Highland Mills, NY
Diana Smith
914.523.1135

New York City, NY
Marc Glashofer, MD
917.660.6952

Comment by Miss Erica on April 19, 2013 at 11:21pm
Hi Madison!
I'm Erica and I actually am in Valley Stream like 15 minutes from your town. I love your name, because I have a Madison!! My daughter Madison, Maddie, is 7. I have had alopecia since I was 3. It's so hard and other people can be so cruel sometimes. They also dont understand that the worse the stress we are under, the worse our condition can be. I think joining a support group will be great for you to meet young people like us!! Be strong and just stay focused on school and your activities, its hard sometimes, but if you focus on other things you start to understand that you are your worst judge...people react if you do. I hope you see that there are many kids your age with a similar situation, again stay strong, theres so much for you to look forward to and Alopecia shouldnt slow you down!!
Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on April 20, 2013 at 2:54am

Hi Madison, I was 26 when I lost my hair, so I can't really say that I completely understand your situation. But I can assure you that you are not alone. You may want to try joining the teenagers with Alopecia Group:

http://www.alopeciaworld.com/group/teenagerswithalopecia

As well as contacting the Children's Alopecia Project to see if they have any events in your area.

http://childrensalopeciaproject.org/

Hope this helps ;)

Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on April 20, 2013 at 3:00am

Hi Madison,

I don't know how close are to Hudson Valley, NY, but The Children's Alopecia Project has a teen group there

Hudson Valley, NY (Teens)
Support Group Leader: Lisa Coniglio
Email: leaconig@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/CAPTeens

Comment by Nammer on April 20, 2013 at 4:45am
Hey I knows how you feel. I lost my hair when I was 6 I am now 24. School can be tough but hang in there! It gets better. You find who your real friends are and people will be glad on what's on the inside then outside
Comment by Ella on April 22, 2013 at 9:54pm

Hello, I'm Ella, I lost my hair when I was 3, then again when I was 5, and again when I was 12. I am now 15, and yeah, it's tough. I know how hard it is to lose your hair at a very young age, and I know that I get really down because I have never been able to experience having a full head of hair. It's good that you have a wig, I didn't get one until I was your age, and up until that point I was regularly called a boy because I would wear a hat and bandanna, but honestly the best thing I did was get a wig. I'm glad that you've already got one, because they are important :) Also, people at school are mean, and they will continue to be mean until you leave school, there isn't really much you can do about that, but hang in there. And stressing about what people are saying won't make your hair grow back, it's a lesson I'm still learning.
It's tough, but you'll be stronger because of it :) (sorry about the cliche)

Comment by CAH on April 24, 2013 at 4:34am

Hi Madison,
I am only 14 and i have had alopecia areata since i was thirteen and i was able to hide the patches, until about a month ago when i lost about 95% of my hair, and i had to miss some school in order to order my wig cause i couldn't go out. It is helpful to tell a friend that you are close to, i have told my friend that i have alopecia but she doesn't know that i wear a wig, i haven't got there yet! Anyway i know it's hard i haven't either met anyone my age that has the cruel disease! Hope this helped :)

Comment by Samantha on April 24, 2013 at 3:40pm

Hello Madison,
I'm 19 and when i was 12 years old i lost all of my hair and had to wear wigs to school so the kids wouldn't laugh at me. My junior year in high school i stopped wearing wigs and went to school bald. It was a huge step but i did it. Hold your head up high and be proud of who you are! You can use yourself to help others in your position. You are not alone.

Comment by Bety on April 25, 2013 at 4:31pm

Hello Madison,
I was 16 the first time I lost my hair, I remember crying all the time, couldn't sleep which made everything worse, getting up in the morning was awful, I avoided the mirror for few months, I was angry, sad, tired of my life, lost a year in high school and thought that my life was over. Now, I'm 42, I have been married for 20 years, have 3 kids, and my life couldn't be better, believe me your life is about to start!!

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