Coming out of the wig closet?

In 2005, my hair started to fall out in big chunks and by the fall of that same year I was wearing a 3/4 hair piece (still difficult for me to call it a wig).  It was my first year of teaching and I had no idea which kind of hair piece to wear.  I experimented with brown, black, long and short.  I remember one of my students asking me if I was wearing a hair piece.  Reluctantly, I said "yes."  With a supportive statement she said something like it was all good.  Alopecia is not a well-known disease and only 2% of the U.S. have it so I was very appreciative of the support.  

I do not mind curiosity so I am open to questions and comments just not to stares.  Fortunately, I have supportive parents who would not mind if I wore a head piece or not and a supportive partner who encourages me to go without it.  However, I am not there yet.  It has been a long road, but I still feel confident with hair on my head.  While others who live with Alopecia are brave enough to go hairless, I commend them and hope to get there someday.  

It is a goal of mine to get more involved in the Alopecia community and bring more awareness.  There is no cure, but there is so much research that still needs to be done.  Like other types of illnesses, it takes money for research, but I have not come across an Alopecia Awareness Walk or something to that affect.  Makes me wonder... One day I may come out of the "closet" to not only be able to get up and go, but to show that I live with Alopecia and it is nothing to be ashamed about.  

My journey began...

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  In many cultures a woman's hair is defined her beauty.  I totally get this because I had beautiful, thick hair.  This did not change right away.  It started with a bald spot.  I was getting a regular hair cut and the hair stylist noticed that I had a bald spot.  My mother, diligent and would do anything for her children, immediately made an appointment with a dermatologist.  I found out that I had something called Alopecia Areata.  An autoimmune disease with no cause or cure. At the time, all I needed was a little topical cream and my hair grew back.  My hair started falling out in larger chunks and the treatment advanced to shots in my head.  This too allowed hair growth.  This kept on going on for about 10 years until all of my hair fell out.  I began wearing hair pieces and informing others about Alopecia.  Usually, I get a blank stare, but when I start talking about it I get very supportive comments.  Now, I can walk around my house without my hair piece and one day I will be able to walk in public without it.  

I have adjusted so well to not having hair-my Alopecia advanced to Universalis-because I have experienced tragedy, which allowed me to appreciate life and to appreciate every thing.  I do not worry about not having hair because it can be much worse.  Although it bothers me when others complain they need to lose 5 pounds, need laser hair removal or some other superficial nonsense, I understand that this is what is important to them.  

I am writing this blog because it did take me a few years to accept my Alopecia and I am so inspired by others who live with it out in the open.