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Comment by Nana on May 11, 2018 at 11:29am

I am sorry to hear that. 

The only thing I can hear when I read your post is: don't quit. As our one of the lady wrote in one of the above post: alopecia has taken so much out of our lives, don't let it take the job you like :)

Comment by Sorodmom on May 9, 2018 at 9:29pm

I understand how you feel but you have a gift and a passion don’t give it up because of fear what others will say,you are beautiful either way wig or no wig.I am 55 and  my hair started thinning at 16 it was hard,teens can be cruel and after high school adults too can be cruel ,I got anxiety and depression ,I spoke to therapist ,I missed a lot of family and friends events,then at 26  I had a husband that didnt care about my bald spots and we had kids so I had to be strong and get out for them,it wasn't easy but I wanted to be a hands on mom,I wore hats and sometimes wigs but still struggled to feel good about myself.I hope you go back to swimming and coaching because I wish I could have enjoyed more events with family and friends,those who matter love you with a wig or no wig.I learned that is all that matters.Enjoy your youth and live life to the fullest!

Comment by Lesley on May 8, 2018 at 6:57pm

Hi Melinda,

I have had similar feelings as you.  I never thought I would be able to be active, including swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, etc. until five years ago.   I am including a link with a picture of me on the water wearing a wig.   Jet%20Siing.PNG  I am able to enjoy all of life's activities with Alopecia, without worrying about my wig falling off or going without hair.  I am living life without worrying constantly about my hair.  My hair no longer controls what I do or don't do!.

I definitely understand exactly what you mean when you say..."it's tough living with hair and now without.." but it doesn't have to control you.  I use to swim competitively, teach swim lessons, was a swim coach, and lifeguard for years and then I lost all my hair.  It changed everything. I gave it all up because I couldn't take the constant worry and feeling that everyone was looking at me. I wish I had my Follea wig then, because now my hair no longer dictates what I can and cannot do.

Don't quite living, life is way too short.

Comment by Sandy on May 8, 2018 at 10:31am

I swim 3 days a week, and I love it so much I can't imagine giving it up. But I am also not swimming bald. I too have Alopecia Universalis, I'm 62 and lost all my hair about 11 years ago. I started going to the pool and just treading water with my wig on. Then I decided I wanted to swim laps, so I put on a bathing cap, and off I went. I am not one of those people who feel comfortable going around bald, and when I swim, I look like everybody else, and it works for me. Maybe someday I will feel comfortable not wearing the cap, but until then, I will put on my cap and take off. So you could wear a cap, would seem normal to everyone since you are in the pool. Best wishes

Comment by Brandwood Clinic on May 8, 2018 at 4:58am

It's so distressing to hear these stories, especially as I know how liberating Scalp Micropigmentation can be in these situations. Naturally, I would say that, but if you find the right practitioner, worrying about these kinds of issues can be a thing of the past. I know some women are not comfortable with the 'shaven-headed' look but it trumps AU all ways. 

Comment by GregOry on May 7, 2018 at 10:10pm

I got AU when I was 34. I was a lab technition. I quit everything and was hiding in my room. My I’m 38 and I wondering why I spent all that time with Netflix instead of living and being myself. I was afraid of how I looked and how people might react. Now I don’t give a shit I’d do like to learn how swim go to concerts and start dating again. When I was 33 I thought of myself as hot stuff that changed very fast. ...I do anything to have you as my swimming instructor... 

Greg

gregory731 at Gmail 

Comment by Murray Halbert on May 7, 2018 at 9:14pm

I am going to comment on this as I do not think that important decisions should be made due to having hair or not. Having said that, I DO understand it is easier for a guy to say that than a gal, which has commercialism to blame.  Lost every hair in 1998, at the time it was a wtf is going on, Docs said I was healthy and they tried comical antidotes for a year then I put a stop to it. Then I just told any one that asked " I am good and not having hair isn't going to kill me".. My Heart goes out to people that have a hard time accepting the no hair scenario, especially children.

Children like to  heckle or mock some one with the slightest difference from the appeared norm. I like to think adults are more indifferent to out of the norm stuff. I do remember a situation in a bar that I was picked on I just told that person "I made a choice hair or brains and I see what you chose" . In all honesty 20/20 vision looking back, life with out hair, I would not change it!

Comment by Toxicmosquitoaf on May 7, 2018 at 5:28pm

@Renee, Do they also pay for people to come there, that live outside of USA?

Comment by Renee on May 7, 2018 at 4:26pm

I bet this happens often.  It's sad but true.  People with alopecia quitting, dropping out, or not participating in things.  God knows I have.  As for the swimming, there are wigs that are for swimming that are either suction cupped on your head or with waterproof adhesive.  These types of wigs might be more expensive though.  I have used swim caps.

    If you have never been to The National Alopecia Areata Foundation Conference, thats a great experience.  The hotel pool is just bobbing with bald heads.  lol.  Its in Arizona in 2 months.  And they will pay for you to go too if you cant affford it through their Scholarship Fund.

    This was a good topic to bring up and reminds me of what the NBA basketball star Charlie Villanueva says.  He says, “I have alopecia, alopecia doesn’t have me”.

Comment by nancy on May 7, 2018 at 3:42pm

Hello Melinda, I wish you all the very best and do understand your frustrations.  I too have AU. I currently go naturel and it's very freeing. People don't judge me. When I first meet people, I take the opportunity  to do a little teaching.   I hope my grand children see that we can face challenges head on (no pun intended). This has been an eye opening experience  for me. I find people to be accepting and will open up about their own challenges. I didn't get to this place one nite but am so glad I did. My own idea of beauty had changed and I'm less critcal, more accepting  of others based on their personality  and talents. I hope you will find it in yourself to accept this condition and learn to  live  every moment you are fortunate to have. 

N

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