With Great thanks to Australian Alopecia Areata Foundation AAAF I have started taking flying lessons which I have found very enjoyable. It has allowed me to explore a passion of mine which I did not think I would be able to fulfil. I have learned to live with alopecia over the years, which is a condition where your hair falls out, and I did find it hard to begin with when I first had patches of hair fall out, however it got easier over time. I believe that coming from a place of acceptance is the best thing that I have managed to do with alopecia. In the early years of having alopecia I did find it hard when I started to lose my hair, and then my eyebrows and eyelashes fell out that was really hard, and it took time for me to adjust to this and I have now, I am fit and healthy apart from having no hair.

Learning to fly has been a transformative journey, one that has not only elevated me to new heights in the literal sense but has also empowered me in ways I never anticipated. What makes this experience even more unique is the fact that I navigate the skies it is a whole new world up there and very free.

I did find flying was an enjoyable experience, and I can honestly say that trundling down the runway, using my feet to steer the aircraft for the first time was a terrifying experience, until it lifted off and soared into the sky, I was in good hands with my instructor Franc.

Initially, the prospect of flying was daunting, and my insecurities about my appearance due to alopecia added an extra layer of challenge. However, as I progress through my flight training, I discovered that the cockpit became a sanctuary of empowerment. Surrounded by the vast expanse of the sky, I found a sense of freedom that transcended physical appearances. The realization that the aircraft responded to my commands, regardless of how I looked, instilled a profound confidence within me.

As a person affected by alopecia, I have faced unique challenges in my life, often feeling self-conscious and struggling with self-esteem. The opportunity to learn to fly, made possible by the foundation, has been a significant step towards reclaiming my confidence.

I look forward to continuing this journey with great thanks to Australian Alopecia Areata Foundation (AAAF).

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Jamie was a part of our sponsorship program – you can also participate! Go here to learn more https://aaaf.org.au/sponsorship-program