The Bald and Beautiful

My name is Stephanie, I'm 20 years old. I suffer from Alopeica Areata and this is my story. I was two years old when I experienced my first episode, throughout my whole preschool life I never had hair. It wasn't until I was five and beginning primary school did my hair grow back; throughout these years without hair mum was constantly looking for answers and a cure but unfortunately there was not one then and still not one now. When I was fourteen my hair began to fall out again, as you could imagine being a teenager who is trying to navigate their lives, friends, boys and school; I had an extra burden. One of the worst parts about my hair loss at this age was other people didn't understand what was happening to me, My hair continued to fall out. The doctors told me their was nothing more they could do I just have to see what happens. I then decided to shave my hair for the World's greatest shave, someone close to me passed away from leukemia and I thought if my hair is going to fall out anyway I may as well make it help someone else. Still to this day my hair has not grown back, there are many people around the world who have worse issues that they are facing but for me not having hair now for six years has been one of the most challenging things I have had to deal with. I was fourteen and going shopping with my mum when a young girl walked a complete 360 around me and then turned to her mum and said "mum why is she bald, it's weird". This is when I realised that I'm always going to look different but that's fine it's who I am and I can't change that no matter how many wishes I make. A few months back I met a girl the same age who suffered from Alopecia when she was younger but she was always able to cover her patches and she said something that has stuck with me. Some people have told me before that I was brave but I never see it that way I just see myself being dealt a difficult hand in life and I'm just trying deal with it the best I can. So I have decided to help others by raising money for Alopecia Areata Australia which helps to educate school kids on what Alopecia is and that not all bald people are sick; they also provide affordable wigs to kids in school. I am doing this by creating a team and participating in the City to Surf. So please dig deep and donate for this charity so close to my heart.