By Faye, age 11

Alopecia is not the easiest thing in the world and for a while, I didn’t believe that it was possible to do all the things I did before my alopecia came back when I was in year four. But after a while, I came to the realisation that I was missing out on things because I was avoiding all the questions and the stares. Now I am back into everything and am joining in with sports and other activities with my friends.

This time when my hair all fell out in January this year I felt I had made a big step because I just asked my mum to cut it off I wanted it all gone. It made me sadder seeing it the first time because last time I tried to hold onto it and it took a lot of grief and time which this time around I knew it wasn’t worth it.

Now I try and include myself in lots of activities such as Soccer, Football, sailing, a skipping team at my school, Sewing and I am also involved in an all schools primary band which performs at the Derwent Entertainment Centre every year. I am the school leader at Waimea Heights Primary School this year. As part of this role, I must be brave and stand up in front of my school to make speeches. This means a lot to me as I must be brave, but not about alopecia, this time about doing a normal thing that a normal school leader would have to be brave about.

Healthy Alopecia means many things to me:

It means having a laugh

It means eating healthy food

It means not letting anything stop me

It means to learn to live with my condition

It means knowing people I trust and feel comfortable with

It means understanding that I am not the only one and other people have different problems

And most of all it means not letting my alopecia stop me from being healthy and happy.

This article was submitted as part of our #HealthyAlopecia Blog Competition which is running throughout 2018. One winner every month will be drawn to receive $2000 towards improving your journey with alopecia or creating a healthier you.  Find out how you can get involved and win $2000 here.