I am a 27 year old woman who has had AU since 13 years of age. At the moment I have no complaints because I am living a normal life with my loving husband and my two month old baby boy. This was not the case all my life.

To begin my story I start by saying in Trinidad and Tobago there isn't an awareness of this condition known as Alopecia, even among the doctors.

When my hair fell out both my mother and I were scared and didn't know what to do. Within a year we visited approximately 10 different doctors who each had a different diagnosis for me. At that tender age I was placed on a lot of medication (which didn't help). Finally, when I was diagnosed with AU the team of 5 doctors decided to place me on steroids. They admitted a few months later that they didn't know how to treat AU because it wasn't common in my country and they were TESTING the steroids on me. The side effects; increase in size, worsened eyesight, weakened immune system just to name a few didn't make me happy at all. 

Aside from the medication, being a teenager in school didn't help matters. I was bullied, ridiculed, abused and worst of all I lost all of my "friends". I remember while passing in the hallway other students would dare each other to pull of my wig, if I didn't run, they would have succeeded. This took a greater toll on my mother who would cry most nights because she felt helpless, She would often tell me it was okay to stay away from school, but I decided (with great difficulty) that I would stay in school. It was here that my life changed completely.

It was here I met my best friend, a brother from another mother if you will, who helped me and taught me to hold on. Understand that at this point of my life I was depressed, sad and suicidal and this guy just helped me see my own worth and encouraged me to grow stronger. From here things just fell into place. I ignored the bullies, the taunting and eventually it went away. Also I gained some true friends that I still have today.

My family saw the change and immediately they backed me up. In the years after I continued to struggle with my own demons of insecurity and low self esteem, but I kept my head down and worked as hard as I could to make my way. 

The Person who has supported me the most has been my husband who despite the baldness, proved that he loves me.

This is my story so far and I hope it reaches the eyes of those who think it is hopeless, who feel alone. I felt the same way until these few angels came into my life and helped me find my strength. Everyday in my prayers I give thanks for all of them. I don't know where I would have ended up without you.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" I'm a better person today because of AU. Started as a curse and ended up being a blessing.