I had an interesting moment over the weekend. My daughter and I ran a 5K in my hometown. Her question was simple, yet lead to a more meaningful conversation about Alopecia. Her question, "Dad, why did you start running?"

My running life began at age 10, much like my daughter (who is now 15). In my hometown, I am known for running a lot and running fast. It wasn't always so. In fact, like many of you, I discovered at a very young age that I had Alopecia (age 5) and soon discovered the horrors of what life could be like growing up as "The Bald Kid".

At age 9 I was at a 4th of July parade with my dad, and we were waiting for the parade to come by. Just before it did, a group of people came running by. I was curious, so I asked my dad why were they running. His reply was that they were with the local running club who was having a race that day. As I stood there watching, I saw a kid about my size run by. That was all it took for me to say I can do that. The following year, I was in that race. I wasn't fast, but I never walked and I enjoyed it a lot.

As my Alopecia began to progress for the worse, my running progressed for the better. At age 14 I won my first race and while I was starting to become more bald than not, I had no fear. It was then that I realized that I had a vehicle to be more than "The Bald Kid" to my community...I could be "That Kid That Runs". So I was then, and still today, it is how most of my hometown, those who know me, refer to me as.

We are all more than what people see us as sometimes. As hard as it can be to go out into public from fear, if we do not, people will almost never have the chance to know us beyond their perception.

I found something I was comfortable with and have held onto it. It is not all of who I am, but it is a huge part of my life, and an important part at that. But mostly, it's a positive that I chose to show people about myself.

All of us have that something unique inside us. Find yours, and let it shine. :) Tim