Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Weaning work into accepting alopecia
I've been working at the same place for over 7 months now. For those of you who don't know, I endured wearing a wig during the interview process and for the first probationary three months. After three months I ditched the wig and at my managers suggestion that the "customers" would feel more comfortable with seeing something on my head, I donned a scarf or bandana. Since I've worn the scarf I noticed that people seemed to be more concerned that I was ill. I've been asked if I had cancer and oddly enough I was even asked if I was muslim.
This last weekend I decided to go to work with my naked shiny head, I'll just nail my work for discrimination if they decide they don't like it but anyways, it was a very interesting weekend both good and bad (cause you can't have one without the other). My coworkers seemed to like my new style (even though it's been my style for years) and find that I look better without anything.
Although Saturday was fairly uneventful, the store was also not very busy however I did find that some people seemed to be taking more seriously??? On Sunday I had a couple of heartwarming moments despite a few people's curiosity about cancer (I'm getting quite used to that anyways). My first moment was when a little girl, maybe 6 or 7, approached me with her father who explained that his daughter had something to ask me. The little girl uncomfortably asked what happened to my hair and before I even answered her I thanked her for asking and told her she was very brave for doing so. I ended up giving her my "children's" explanation of alopecia before she and her father left satisfied with their new lesson learned. My second encounter was much later in the day when I got the opportunity to be the store greeter and a woman with AU walked into the store with her husband. The moment she saw me she ripped off her hat as we smiled and hugged. It was rather unfortunate that I didn't have much of a chance to talk to her but hopefully I'll get to see her again, it was so exciting to have another alopecian in the store to show all my friends that I'm not alone.
I'm so happy to finally be free! The next thing is just hoping that my manager doesn't have any little talks with me about dissapproval, which I doubt will happen. It seemed I just had to wean my coworkers into accepting my difference, by not going in bald to start with they gave me the opportunities they would give anyone else and as they got to know me and my excellent work habits it mattered less and less that I haven't any hair. I'm relieved that I can go into work as myself completely and that in a small way it helps me promote alopecia and that bald is sexy!
This last weekend I decided to go to work with my naked shiny head, I'll just nail my work for discrimination if they decide they don't like it but anyways, it was a very interesting weekend both good and bad (cause you can't have one without the other). My coworkers seemed to like my new style (even though it's been my style for years) and find that I look better without anything.
Although Saturday was fairly uneventful, the store was also not very busy however I did find that some people seemed to be taking more seriously??? On Sunday I had a couple of heartwarming moments despite a few people's curiosity about cancer (I'm getting quite used to that anyways). My first moment was when a little girl, maybe 6 or 7, approached me with her father who explained that his daughter had something to ask me. The little girl uncomfortably asked what happened to my hair and before I even answered her I thanked her for asking and told her she was very brave for doing so. I ended up giving her my "children's" explanation of alopecia before she and her father left satisfied with their new lesson learned. My second encounter was much later in the day when I got the opportunity to be the store greeter and a woman with AU walked into the store with her husband. The moment she saw me she ripped off her hat as we smiled and hugged. It was rather unfortunate that I didn't have much of a chance to talk to her but hopefully I'll get to see her again, it was so exciting to have another alopecian in the store to show all my friends that I'm not alone.
I'm so happy to finally be free! The next thing is just hoping that my manager doesn't have any little talks with me about dissapproval, which I doubt will happen. It seemed I just had to wean my coworkers into accepting my difference, by not going in bald to start with they gave me the opportunities they would give anyone else and as they got to know me and my excellent work habits it mattered less and less that I haven't any hair. I'm relieved that I can go into work as myself completely and that in a small way it helps me promote alopecia and that bald is sexy!
-
Comment by JeffreySF on February 23, 2009 at 3:20pm
-
Hey Carol,
Kudos to you!!!
I hope you see the woman with AU again.
I don't think you should have any issue with going to work Au Natural.
Hugz,
Jeff
-
Comment by Mari on February 23, 2009 at 8:56pm
-
Awesome Carol! That totally rocks. I was the same way at my job. I wore hats for so many years that when I was job hunting I would get all these weird looks so I finally broke down and got a wig. When I got my job for like the first week I wore my wig but it drove my nuts and HURT since I had to wear it for so long. So I said something to HR, and she was all talk to your boss. My boss had no problems with it and so I took each girl aside, I am in customer service, and told them all. They were totally cool. I never had the guts to go completely bald, and now this past year I have gone to wearing a wig- that's another story, lol- but i know they would be fine if I was bald. I even got some compliments for having the guts to be myself, man was that nice! Anyways, guess my point is that most people are quite accepting of the "unique", we just have to give them a chance :o)
-
Comment by Dominique on February 23, 2009 at 10:00pm
-
Good work Carol :c) When I worked in Retail I always wore a scarf, mainly with the idea of distracting people from noticing my hairloss, and at busy times, discouraging questions.
I found this didn't work all that well - with a number of comments - and like you - the occasional one about being a Muslim (which I thought to be quite a impertinent question anyways, more so than about my hairloss).
Congrats on your win - and enjoy feeling yourself :c)
-
Comment by Kristine on February 24, 2009 at 11:41am
-
Hi Carol ! Great blog. I understand. I work at a grocery store here in Hailey Idaho. It's hard. I wear hats everyday. Lately, it has been getting warmer and would rather not but would rather not deal with such ignorant questions. Fortunately I have a really cool manager and she supports me with wearing a hat or not. Working behind a counter and just having people impatiently stare at you can be intimidating. I have a tank top that says BALD with an up arrow and a down arrow. I don't think I'll wear that one to work but sometimes I would like too. A friend of mine who works in the pharmacy dept plans on shaving her head for St.Baldricks project to donate hair to children with cancer. I told her hey- I'll support you doing that and not wear my hat and bring alopecia awareness too ! This is happening March 1st. So please feel free to support us in doing so too ! She has been wearing a badge around her name tag that says "I'm shaving my head ask me why." Then she tells people about it. I found a button that says Alopecia (look it up). I love that. Saves time on the explaining when you have a long line. Cheers - To Alopecia !
-
Comment by kastababy on February 26, 2009 at 9:55am
-
Now you know I'm sitting here in my living room (supposed to be working) clapping my hands and getting excited for you Carol!
It's such a liberating moment when you can go au naturel and really not give a fig about what anyone thinks -- and it gives you the courage to stand up for what's right -- I just ask the powers that be when they have any questions "Would you give me this hard of a time if I told you I had cancer? If not, then why are you doing it now?" That usually shuts down any protests.
I hope you see the other alopecian lady again too.
You ROCK!!!
-
Comment by Francie on February 27, 2009 at 4:04am
-
after reading this story and comments I can not believe how nosy people are sometimes, asking if you have cancer or if you are muslim just because of your scarf! Its just like honestly whats it to them or why should it matter? (my dads theory: Its obvious that we are just more advance human beings, because through evolution and our abundance of clothes (to protect and kept us warm) our bodies have realized that their is just no need for hair anymore. haha that theory always amused me.
-
Comment by Carol on February 27, 2009 at 2:50pm
-
Hey Francie
I love that evolution theory myself (it's true isn't it???? lol). I think I'll be wearing the scarf this weekend though, it's supposed to be -20 with the wind! I love being an alopecian but the weather certainly doesn't always agree with me, I find I'm always colder than everyone else. Summer better be just around the corner, I'm so sick of snow and ice. Thanks for all the comments guys! :)
Comment
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Alopecia World to add comments!
Join Alopecia World