Comment by NettyNurse on March 26, 2014 at 6:31pm

Lacy,

You are a courageous and beautiful person, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to make this video. I've struggled with alopecia areata my entire life. The pain and struggles are pretty terrorizing. I was bullied and picked on as a kid and even into my teenage years. The thought of all that I've gone through still sends shivers down my spine. As an adult, it wasn't as bad, I too had to learn to accept what I had and to learn to love it. I had to realize that it wasn't going to change and that the only thing I could do was to embrace it. As I learned to love it, I learned to love myself, and there's no better love, than to love yourself. It wasn't until recently did I start to go out in public without my hair. It took everything I had in me to do it, and once I did it, that was it, I had overcome the biggest fear in my life. The best part, was that for once, the world saw me for me, and had to accept me for me. People that don't have alopecia don't quite understand the obstacles we have to overcome, especially as girls, its extremely difficult, because the biggest milestones in our life involve having beautiful hair, (prom, school dances, parties, beaching bumming for spring break, wedding, etc.) Its a bit heartbreaking, to miss those special moments in our lives. When I got married, I panicked because I was the only bride I ever knew that didn't have to get their hair done on their wedding day, so it literally took me 20 mins to get ready for my wedding. (kinda funny :o) ) i love who i am, and without hair, I'm more "me". When I wear my wigs, I'm constantly looking around at whos looking at me, who's wondering about my hair and it get's old. 

At the end of the day, we are blessed to be different, and there's nothing wrong with being different. 

Love yourself, you're beautiful and brave. 

xoxo

Shenette

Comment by Sara317 on April 17, 2014 at 2:56pm

Inspirational!

Comment by Lacy Jane Gratton on April 23, 2014 at 5:50pm

Hey i didn't get any notifications before when people commented and I've just signed in and seen this. Im not sure if any of you will see it but thank you all so much. Ive started to lose my eyelashes and eyebrows and looked into semi permenant make up. I completely agree about summer when its cold in the winter i actually don't mind my wig so much as its a bit like wearing a hat but summer makes me quite anxious. I think wearing a wig when its hot or when your on holiday is definitely not the answer its so frustratingly and annoying and i think the more we embrace it as individuals the more accepting the world will be of people with no hair. It feels so nice to have such a supportive network online and want to thank all of you for these kind messages. I don't know anybody on here and for you to take time out of your day to write such nice things is honestly just so nice. It seems like we all have days when we struggle with it and its sometimes nice to know we don't face it alone - even though it feels that way!

Comment by Niece on April 23, 2014 at 8:21pm

Hi Lacy...I have had AU for almost 6 months now....so I can feel exactly what you are feeling. Its been very hard for me..but I decided I can continue crying or I can move on living. I guess what really makes me stop and think is when I hear people talk about other immune diseases they are affected by. One lady can barely move or even grip anything from an Auto-immune disorder. We all need to be thankful for the things in our lives we have and can control. There is nothing I did or can do to avoid having AU...This will be my first summer completely bald..and yes I am very scared how it will all go. I wear wigs in public and hats or scarves at home. My family has been very supportive, but I have only told about 4 other people..nobody has asked and if they did I would tell them. I guess what I want to say is do what you need to do to be happy and be thankful you are healthy otherwise....I am sure many many women with cancer would give anything to just have lost their hair.  It doesnt make it painless for us with AU...just makes me stop and think. All my best to you!

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