Video Store Guy

I really like the video store down the street. Great prices, convenient, and the video store guy rocks. When living with Alopecia, I often think that few people understand what I’m going through. Yes, I have tremendous support from family and friends, but it’s rare that you run into a stranger that understands.

Many months ago I noticed an employee at the video store who had a small nickel-shaped bald spot. I knew immediately he had some form of Alopecia, but I was not bold enough to bring up the subject. Saying I wasn’t bold is kind of funny. Here I was walking around the video store completely bald. The months went by and I noticed he had more bald spots and was shaving his head. Now I want to talk to him, but the lines are always long or someone needs his help.

Today, I finally got the moment to connect. We had a short conversation about our Alopecia journeys from childhood. We decided that I would pray that all his hair would fall out so he didn’t have to shave anymore, and he would pray that my hair would come back. How funny is that. A brief, but warming connection that I hope will spark future conversations and support.

Alopecia World

Alopecia World is an amazing place to connect. Chat, blogs, photos, and videos are just a few features of this site. Besides being nicely designed, this site offers support that I wish I would have had all my life.

Alopecia World is a new social networking site for people living with hair loss, their loved ones and friends. Join today for support, to encourage others, make new friends, or perhaps meet the love of your life. It's 100% free! (alopeciaworld.com)

Please check out the site. Thank you Alopecia World for giving all of us a chance to share our unique lives!!

Second Doctor's Visit

In another post, I talked about not having a regular family doctor and how hard it was for me to visit a doctor. Another bug recently weakened my body, and with unfamiliar symptoms a doctor's visit was necessary.

I'm proud to say that my past fears of what a doctor might say about my baldness were gone. I not only went to a walk-in clinic, but also did not wear a wig. The symptoms were discussed, a diagnoses given, and no mention of the baldness.

Do not fear what others may think or say. Your reflection is yours. Embrace the beauty. A recurring theme of my experience with Alopecia.

Have a nice day SIR

A big smile to the greeter at Wal-Mart; the older man does try hard to communicate niceties to the busy rush of people. We made eye contact as I was pushing my cart out the door and he said, "Have a nice day SIR." This normal phrase brought a crush to my feminine heart.

I’ve often wondered how often people mistake me for a guy--especially in the winter time when bulky clothes loose gender specificity. I even have it in my head that if I wear big hoop earrings and heavier makeup I cannot be mistaken.

Still there are those moments like in Wal-Mart where someone does mistake me for a guy. An awkward correction follows or my gender remains mistaken. The essence of my womanhood does not want to be called sir. Just when I think I'm strong enough to accept the beauty of my image a simple mistake wounds my heart.

The biggest goal for me right now is not to get too frustrated by my sinking reaction to the word sir. In other words, I am allowed to experience a heart squeeze in the image healing process. Don’t get frustrated with your frustrations for in these moments a great strength can arise.

Helpful Resources

An updated list of helpful sites. Please comment this post with more links.

resources
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
WebMD
Team Alopecia
Her Hair Loss Help
Children's Hair Loss Project
Headz Up

alopecians
Alopecia World
Alopecia And Love
Bold Beauty Is Being Beautifully You
Women's Hair Loss Project
Crowned Regal
Alopecia Areata Support Community
Bald Girls Do Lunch
Her Alopecia

wigs & coverings
Locks Of Love
Wigs.com
Headcovers Unlimited
Lids