What a year its been so far. Unbelievable and Im totally gobsmacked. Im grateful and humbled that all that has transpired in the last 7 months. Curious as to what the rest of the year will bring.

Lets start this with the article that was written about me and voyages to the gym, which was issued in my local newspaper in late April. This was after I approached the marketing director of the gym I go to, about the possibility of raising some awareness about alopecia. I had been approached many times and have gotten enough looks that I wanted to share as why I was bald. And that the answer isnt always cancer. It was amazing the response that I received from this article and how many people would approach me afterwards at the gym, saying how wonderful it was and/ or that they also knew someone with alopecia. Half those people that would say they knew someone with alopecia, didnt know what it was until they read my story. For me this was a grand slam mission accomplished. Exactly what I set out to do.

The marketing director was so inspired by my story and conveniently the gym was celebrating their 10 year anniversary with the "Join the Journey" theme in late June. That I was asked to be a part of the VIP luncheon of key note speakers. Mostly various directors of the gym and major sponsors. This was going to my first public speaking event, giving a speech in front of a large audience. It was an amazing experience. My mom was in attendance and she was crying afterwards and to my shock there was more tears from others in attendance. I had so many people with the same comments that I received from my article. "I know someone with that, but I never knew what it was" I even had the mayor's wife say that her sister has alopecia and wishes she could find my strength. Which almost had me in tears. For anyone that goes thru this disease knows exactly how hard of a battle one must give in order to find that strength.

That same day I got a call from another publication that I had emailed. Horses All, a western Canadian publication. I had emailed a few horse publications after I spoken with one of the directors at Reining Alberta horse club, after I decided that I was going to enter the Summer Classic Reining Show in the first week of July. This was going to be my first appearance in the show pen after a 3 year break. A break that I gave myself after the last time I showed, I was more distracted and concern about how to hide my diminishing hair. I no longer enjoy a hobby that I had been doing for well over a decade just because I didnt have the confidence to be around people any longer. Not only was I losing my hair but I was losing my self confidence and self esteem.

Well with that one email from Horses All and a phone interview later, I was going to be featured in their August issue. With the hopes of reaching more people, to raise awareness and to let all with this disease know they were not alone. That they dont need to feel that they have to give up what they find such joy in.

So here it was, I was entering my first horse show in 3 years on July 6 - 8. And it was great, wonderful, amazing, simply put FABULOUS ! It was wonderful to catch up with others that I hadnt seen in so long. To ride my horse without free that any bald spots would show, because I am completely bald. To have such support in my rides from others. One thing I hadnt anticipated was how was I going to keep my cowboy hat on. Part of the dress attire to enter the ring. I didnt think it would be an issue. But as I rounded into my second rundown and slide, there goes my hat. Flying off my head. And what shocked me was the cheering I received when it came off. After the class it was the judge that got up and went to retrieve my hat for me. He would later tell me that he noticed I never stopped smiling the whole weekend. That weekend not only was it a first going bald into the show pen, but my horse and I got our highest to date score! What was goin to top that ?

A week later I went to see Slash and Myles Kennedy in concert. This was the second time I have seen them live and it was totally amazing. After chatting with a fellow alopecian sister, I had decided that I was going to try to meet these guys after the show. She gave me some wonderful pointers. Hang around the buses after the show and wait and wait and wait and wait some more. And that was exactly what I did. And I got to meet Slash and Myles. Not only meet but get hugs and autographs. And the biggest highlight, the added plus after watching an amazing show, Slash kissed my head !!!! It still makes me swoon. Slash is the second person to ever touch or kiss my head.

I must give huge thanks to my alopecian sister for paving the way of asking for what you want. And it just proves to show that if you dont ask you never know what the answer will be. Without the try, you never know what you may accomplish of what you can do. Without the thoughts, the dreams, the passions, you never will see change, see success, see accomplishment. Even a failure can help, it just teaches you to take another path to what you want. Go after it.

More proof to go after what you want. Last week I got an email from another horse publication, Western Horse Review. Another western Canadian magazine. They sent me interview questions for the story that they are wanting to write about my alopecia journey.

I dont do this for myself, I do this to raise awareness of alopecia areata. To let those that are already starting this journey of hair loss and to those that have yet to start the journey; to let them know that they are not alone. That no one should hide themselves for fear. To be themselves. To be you. To embrace you and to love you. To look in the mirror and see you and tell say aloud "I love you"