Comment by Mary on May 3, 2009 at 6:19pm

Thanks for posting this. In case anyone hasn't connected it...I was Gail's model. This was taped just two months after I lost my hair, right before I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes. It was an interesting experience, but I know I'd react very differently today.

The whole message of the episode was how terribly sad it is that we don't have any hair. We were described as women who needed help to feel good about themselves. Now I know I don't need a wig to feel good about myself, and I go bald all the time. Please visit the National Bald Out group if you're interested. Mary

Comment by Karen Froehner on May 22, 2009 at 10:26pm

Thanks for posting this. But who won the competiton. Yeah, haired people get so caught up with the lose. They sure can make you go back to that moment of initial lose. Its their issue not ours. Its their comfort level that is unbalanced. I agree that hair cut was too heavy for you. I do prefer you bald. Amazing

Comment by Mary on June 9, 2009 at 10:32am

Yes, you're both right - it's other people who have the problem. Since I've managed to adopt the attitude that I'm okay the way I am (and to hell with what other people think), I've been so much happier. I prefer the way I looked with hair, but I've somehow made peace with being bald.

I'll say it again: people won't get used to seeing bald women (and stop staring and assuming we have cancer) until they SEE more bald women! The solution to the problem of other people being hung up on hair loss is in our hands, but I know going out bald is not easy, and not for everyone.

Comment by Kat on June 10, 2009 at 11:13am

I enjoy reading all of your comments. I'm still dealing with my Alopecia but to see so many bald beautiful strong women is really helping me. THANKS !!!!

Comment by Leon Johnson on July 7, 2009 at 11:45am

I had the pleasure of seeing this video some months ago. I hope I get a chance to witness a mainstream actress workin' the bald look. Thanks for posting.

Comment by Christine on July 27, 2009 at 4:43am

HI,
I just watched this, and I understand how one might feel that the episode seemed to focus on the "oh how sad, no hair" But I have to say It brought me to tears too. I've had AA for several years, I am not AT or AU but I have had extensive loss, that I just barely was able to get by without wearing a wig, I feel better with hair, and I want those with AA,AT,AU who feel comfortable going bald to do that also, I'm just wanting to say that I appreciated the level of compassion I saw, frankly I haven't seen much of that myself, I was devastated when I lost about 40% of my hair during my last episode of shedding, and friends and family would just act like "what's the big deal?" I didn't want everyone acting like someone died, but honestly I felt so alone, and tho I know they Love me, it felt like they couldn't be there for me, and I still don't think they will be if I lost all of it. It has in a lot of ways made me stronger. I'm very thankfull to be able to share here with others that do understand. By the way Who won? I really applaud those who represented all of us here...Great job.
Christine

Comment by Mary on August 12, 2009 at 3:21pm

Thanks, Christine - I just saw your post. I know what you mean about compassion, or the lack thereof, among our friends and family. When my hair was coming out rapidly, my women friends just thought I was being obsessive. Then when I finally decided to shave the last of it off, they realized how serious it was. I think a lot of people just don't know what to say and are uncomfortable, so they come across as uncaring.

As to who won the whole series... I think it was the woman with the short dark hair and the blonde streak on top...she worked in the chair next to the one I was in at the beginning, and was the last to choose a model. I can't remember her name. She wasn't in the runway show. Mary

Comment by Mary on November 6, 2009 at 12:10am

p.s. The name of this episode was "It looks like a helmet" - which is what one of the judges said about one of the wigs during the runway show.

Comment by Mary on February 22, 2010 at 7:38pm

I just came across a couple of photos on my computer from the episode...so I've posted them on my page.

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