This is my wife's version of events

Hi my name is Ann-Marie, I am Katelyn’s Mum, a founder of BeBold in the United Kingdom.

Katelyn was first diagnosed with alopecia when she was only two years of age. At first her hair started to fall out in only small patches, but naturally concerned about her hair loss, we like so many others visited our local GP. We were very lucky to have a very supportive surgery and our Doctor quickly diagnosed Alopecia Areata. When I tried to find support for Katelyn and our family outside the medical circle there was nobody out there who would help. I found it very distressing watching my little girl lose her hair and felt so powerless to help. Every night it would be the same routine, bath, bedtime story and then Katelyn would have her cream applied. Every night I would come down stairs and cry. This was an incredibly emotional time for Darren and myself.

There is one day that stands out in particular, a day I will always remember! Katelyn went to nursery as usual but on this day she came back and asked why she couldn’t have bows in her hair like the other children. It broke my heart seeing her so upset. That was the day I said to myself enough of the tears we need to do something positive.

Over the year we kept things very positive around Katelyn and we were always very honest with her. Even though she was young we talked a lot about alopecia. Katelyn had full re-growth by the time she started school. It was at this point BeBold was started to help support other families, having somebody to talk to who is sharing the same experience makes all the difference. BeBold has gone from strength to strength over the years. We now hold two major events per year; a Children’s Alopecia Camp and an Adult Conference. Alongside these are many more supplementary events. The philosophy of BeBold is to involve the whole family, I know with Katelyn’s twin brother Hayden; he also finds it hard at times.

Katelyn is now nine, she started to loose her hair again Late December 2011 early January 2012, I couldn’t believe it. Katelyn has now lost most of her hair and all of her body hair. Anyone that knows Katelyn I am sure will agree despite alopecia she is a very positive young lady. She has found alopecia hard in many aspects, loosing her eyebrows and eyelashes was distressing for her but she always tries to remain positive.

Katelyn chose not to wear hair (I really dislike the word wig) for 9 months but then eventually came to me and said that she would like to try some alternative hair. She is a very active little girl; this was going to be a challenge choosing the right hair for her. I always say to Katelyn, hair does not define who you are, you can achieve anything in life, all you have to do is try. I believe keeping a very positive attitude with Katelyn has helped.

Katelyn has an amazing support network in school and her friends are amazing. She always has someone to turn to if she has a bad moment in the day. We have a very good Dermatologist, Dr Seukeran, he is a big support to our family and of course to BeBold. Katelyn has very sensitive skin at the moment and we are struggling to find any medication that does not make her skin react. Even though what Katelyn is going through every day she gets up with a huge smile on her face, I am so proud of her.

She does have her down days and we have a cry together. Watching your little girl loose her hair and not been able to do anything is soul destroying. Finding hair everywhere, making Katelyn’s bed on a morning and having to pick up chunks of hair up is so upsetting. Katelyn gets a lot of pain where she is loosing her hair, mostly her eyebrows. If Katelyn can get up every morning with a huge smile, then so can I.

BeBold hosted its first conference in October 2012. I remember thinking in January 2012 when Darren and I discussed the concept how incredibly scared I was. This was to be a big event with suppliers travelling from across the world. No pressure I suppose!

When we finally met all the suppliers, we all had such a good time. In many instances it was like we had known each other for years. Whilst we were hosting the conference Katelyn and myself got chatting to Heidi Worman, Heidi’s specialist skill is semi permanent make-up. Heidi started talking to me about HD Brows, a powder that is applied to create an eyebrow for Katelyn. Heidi said she would send Katelyn some through the post to try, Katelyn was so excited. The thing that Katelyn missed most was her eyebrows. Katelyn’s little face boomed with excitement when they arrived in the post. I was a terrified trying them as Katelyn’s skin is super sensitive, when we tried a skin test we were both delighted to discover her skin was fine with the product. Katelyn loved having eyebrows again and they looked so natural.

The conference was a real highlight to our year; we met incredible people and had a blast along the way. It was lovely to receive so many positive words and we are really looking forward to hosting the Alopecia Conference again in October 2013.

Katelyn is part of two musical theatre groups, she just loves to sing and dance, so naturally her requirement was to find alternative hair that wouldn’t fall off when she was performing on stage.

Following the Conference we were approached by an American Company called Follea with some very exciting news for Katelyn. They asked if Katelyn would like to be the next “Face of Follea. I sat Katelyn down and told her all about the offer and what she would need to do, I did not have to ask twice…….a big loud yes came back at me lol. Katelyn has now been wearing her Follea Gripper Sport for a month now and hasn’t looked back.

Just being able to go into a soft play, dance and play in hair if she chooses without the fear of the hair falling off has made a big difference. Katelyn has a lot to look forward to in 2013, photo shoots with Follea, two musical theatre productions, Harry Potter and our kids camp at Pinewood Holiday Park. It will be a busy year! With our BeBold family I am sure we will also do so much more together.

Never feel you have to face alopecia alone, BeBold is here to help in anyway we can. In having someone to chat with can make a major difference. Alopecia can take away your self confidence and effect your life in so many ways, please reach out for help if you need it. I am always here if anyone needs a chat.

I can’t thank the people enough who have supported me over the last year, our BeBold family rocks!

Just before Christmas I watched a film called “The Vow” and will never forget these words.

“Life is all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever. These flashes of high intensity that turn your life upside down actually ends up defining who we are.”

I suppose Alopecia has been our moment of impact. I look forward to what 2013 has to bring for my family and BeBold!

Love you guys x

I always tell Katelyn “To follow her star and her dreams will follow!”

All my love