We asked our employees two questions this year as they reflect on their birthday and purpose.
If you could raise awareness about one thing, what would it be? I would love to raise more awareness about Alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that has affected my daughter since she was 8 years old. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata which means she loses hair in spots when her body decides to start attacking the hair follicles and the hair falls out. Most times the spots will range from a quarter size to sometimes the entire side or backside of her scalp. She even lost an eyebrow at one point. As much as it is a “cosmetic” disease losing hair, the emotional and mental aspect of what kids with this is what is the hardest. When kids ask if they have cancer because they have bald spots, when you try to cover with headbands, certain hairstyles, and being in a sport of competitive cheerleading where it is all about the big hair we’ve had some struggles. We’ve found the best course of action is steroid shots given directly in the scalp, which is a painful and excruciating process, but it does work. What I wish is that with all of the drugs on the market for auto-immune diseases, dealing with skin issues and other things that, there really has not been a great deal put into finding medicines that would help this rather than the shots.
What’s one thing about you that others might be surprised to learn? One thing that people are surprised to learn is that I can crochet. I learned when I was young from my aunt and mom and have most recently picked it up again. I’m currently making an afghan for my living room.
So there ya go~~~ 46 here I come!