Comment by KATHLEEN B. on August 4, 2010 at 12:43am

Love it!!

Comment by Karen W on August 4, 2010 at 8:52am

feels good to see Ms. Deleware win. I won't go out the house without any hair one either. What does that say about me. However, even before I got alopceia I always like hair extentions b/c my hair was dry and brittle and never grew as long as I wanted.

Comment by Kathleen on August 4, 2010 at 11:10am

I wont go out of the house without a face or hair. I want to look my best and for me, that's having "hair" and "eyebrows" and "eyelashes". Its draining always having to worry about this stuff.

Comment by Mark S. Hansen on August 4, 2010 at 2:11pm

I often hear people say idealist things like "Life is what you make it." Or "Its whats inside that counts." Well, admittidly or not life is also what other people make it. Because if those two phrases were true, neither of you or any one on here, would mind going out of the house without hair, eyebrows or whatever. You would not care what other people think of your "outside." I have had alopecia totalis for over 40 years, (I am a 54 single man) no eye brows eye lashes or hair anywhere. I go out every day and keep my head up so to speak. But the world has just been too ignorant a place for me to ever be completely accepting of what I have. Thanks Later,
Marky218.

Comment by Chefpam on August 4, 2010 at 2:37pm

It is wonderful to have others to relate to. Which ever way we choose to deal with it is really personal, but the bond we all share is the same. @Mark-just wanted to share a story with you. I was crying in the bathroom one day over my hair falling out and my husband said, "it will be ok." I said you don't know what it feels like to be afraid to be bald." He said I wouldn't care, let me show you." He began to shave his head and was left completely bald. Mind you, he had a very thick head of hair. You know what? Everywhere he went he got "oohs and wow's." No one had ANYTHING negative to say. SO no he loves being bald and has way more confidence. My hair is continuing to fall out daily and I wish I had the nerve to shave it. BUT I know I would in no way get the same reaction. You are right, it does effect us according to the reactions we get. It's because we are flesh, and flesh hurts. Do know that there are those of us who accept you just as you are! P.S. Is it bad that I sometimes wish that the 2% ratio of alopecians would skyrocket so we would become the norm??

Comment by Karen Grevious on August 4, 2010 at 4:40pm

Chefpam: A little over a week ago I made the decision to "come out". I had already been going out of the house without my wig, but I had not taken any pictures or made it known to all I knew that I had alopecia. The summer heat is what finally pushed me over the edge as far as giving up the wig. I was very worried about people's perception of me. I didn't want to be viewed as being "sick" or for people to feel sorry for me. When I finally posted my bald picture on Facebook, I was amazed at the reactions I received not only from current friends and co-workers but from people that had known me for over 40 years. Below are some of the comments I received. All I can say is don't sell yourself or people short. The reactions you may receive probably won't be as bad as you've convinced yourself they will be. Most days all I wear is eyebrow pencil. On special occasions I'll put on make-up and/or eyelashes. Dare to bare!

Charles Grevious You are still radiant !
Tina Gonzales Gorgeous and smart ... lethal combination! You were rockin that dress at Mon Ami!
Carmela D'Onofrio Gerace You look beautiful!
Camille Wade Combs Very cute and exotic!!
Marc Smith You are rocking that look Karen!
Cheryl Fleming Karen, you look stunning!! I remember when Shelia Bridges, award winning Interior Designer shaved her head due to this same autoimmune disease. I found this link where she tells her story and thought I would share it for other FB family members to learn about alopecia areata. Awareness is key. http://www.alopeciaworld.net/video/interior-designer-sheila?xg_sour...
Bj Jackson Wow, I may do it in solidarity, you look fab!
Martin C Midgett Jr I am very proud of you for being a STRONG and REAL sister!
Andre L. Smith Its your smile and sweet personality that can light any room! Just beautiful Karen!
Rodney B. Cheney True beauty always shines through! You look Fantastic!
Janet Wills Wow! You like awesome!
Amber Keith Absolutely beautiful!!
Debbie B. Smith There is something so free and powerful in this photo. Love the true beauty in it.
Kim Tyler Snyder Karen you know you are beautiful inside and out....always have been. Actually, I really like this look.My daughter said...oh she is so beautiful.
Jo-Dell Wade Lovin' the look. You go girl
Diane Matthews-Reaves You go girl anyway!!
Andrea Berry you look beautiful karen g.
Dee Jordan Perry God Bless You, Karen! Your beauty and strength is glowing! Congratulations on making us aware, and keeping it real!
Don Kelley Whew!......scared the $h** out of me for a second there! Alopecia...no biggie. Your natural beauty outshines any adversity that may come your way. The look is GREAT on you....what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.......
Marleen Caraballo Perfect shaped head. Very nice picture. :)
Samantha Lee Poehlman Work it girlfriend! Miss you! :-)
Joyce Shedrick Simply Beautiful ...

Comment by Chefpam on August 4, 2010 at 5:05pm

Oh this is so great Karen. This makes me ooze with joy! You are beautiful. I am not bald, I am still shedding like a dog in heat or something. That's the part that is driving me nuts. I mean, I am not in heat but the shedding part. I am praying that something give so I can move on!!

Comment by Mary on August 4, 2010 at 5:59pm

Once I came to the realization that I couldn't stand the heat of wigs, my only choice was to accept myself the way I am. I'm OUT every day, everyplace, and happy - life goes on! Bravo, Karen! You've taken a major step that you won't regret.

Comment by Karen W on August 5, 2010 at 10:08am

I dont wear my wigs inside. The lace or full mono do not feel so hot. I prefere the look of thin skin now they make them with breathing holes. Accepting yourself the way you are is still an issue for everybody despite hair or not. Do you mean you just choose not to wear wigs b/c you dont like them and just choose to wear a bald head? Some people wear bald head who dont have alopcia b/c they cant be botheredwith doing thier hair. I dont know that making a choice means accpting or not accepting yourself. Those words have judgement and I think we ought to be careful. I accept myself and part of me is a glamourous person who wear jewery and dress up and hair is just anacessory to me. If people ask me I tell them I wear extenstions its not anything I'm hiding or ashamed of. In fact Im proud of my style I accept myself. so dont assume b/c I like accesoies I dont accept myself.

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