Friday Feeling: Ode to Alopecia

Inspiration for Alopecia Awareness Month

Three decades between us. No hair on either of our heads or faces. A quiet, early September meeting in a popular coffee spot allowed us to meet. Tucked in a corner we talked about our shared experiences, although different yet similar. Talk moved from our shared commonality to our mutual passion realizing we were connected more than we thought. Alopecia will do that.

Being bald equals feeling vulnerable. Suspectable to stares, questions, and strangers approaching to hug, ask questions, share their cancer stories, and offer empathy. Lack of hair is like a beacon shining brightly for all to witness even though we are just trying to fit into society.

When you lose your self-image, you can lose yourself. It takes years of reshaping who we see in the mirror to recognize ourselves like we looked when we were first born – innocent, fresh, new – even though the wrinkles, smile lines, and stress of change are also noticeable. What you can’t see on the outside, is the change we must adjust to on the inside.

Finding someone who shares a similar story – or in our case – looks means a lot. A natural understanding of what one has gone through, the transformation that took place, on both the outside and inside. When you find a kindred alopecia soul, you get it. You know it. You feel it instantly and for this I’m grateful.