My name is Pauline and I am 56 years old.

I live in Geraldton Western Australia.

I have had Alopecia since I was 21 years old my hair has never grown back.

It started as a 20 cent piece on the the back of my head then progressed to fall out in about a couple of months I had lost it all, I was devastated.

My daughter was 9 months old, I tried every cream, lotion and potion to try and grow my hair back. I also lost my eye lashes, eyebrows and body hair.

When I was pregnant with my son 6 years later my hair started to grow back but once I had my son it fell out again. I got my kids through school wearing short wigs Which I didn’t really like as they made me look old I also got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease another auto immune disease. I sort help through Alopecia groups and learnt I wasn’t the only one with the disease although sometimes I felt so alone.

I went to a councillor for many years to help me cope with my anxiety and lack of confidence.

She was great she helped me regain my confidence and anxiety around people and settings as I was afraid to join anything and go out in public.

It took me up until I was 50 to join a exercise class which at first I thought everyone is going to stare at me but I learnt to control my sweaty palms and anxiety and joined in. Yes there were a few nosey ones who thought I had cancer and never heard of Alopecia before.

I soon joined more classes at the community centre as my confidence grew I now play table tennis, I do gentle gym, I tried pickle ball but unfortunately my knees didn’t like this sport.

This is we’re my Sponsorship for Tai Chi comes into my story as it is not only gentler on my knees and other joints it is good for my mental health confidence and anxiety.

I hope to share with you and update you of my progress throughout the year I am so very thankful.

I have made many new friends through doing these things I wish I had joined them sooner.

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