The Story

All About Me

After being diagnosed at age eleven with patchy Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune condition in which hair falls out because of an overactive immune system,  I thought I was done. A few years later, an ambiguous form of hypothyroidism,  a series of gastrointestinal problems, and a host of irregular symptoms related to growth emerged.  

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As a competitive dancer for many years, I had a hard time covering up each of my bald spots; I would brush  eyeshadow over the patches or move my remaining hair to cover up the glaring signs of baldness. Even at school, I was constantly scared of how others perceived me, especially when my treatment would cause baby hairs to grow back. For a long time, I wore hats or put my hair up so no one could notice anything amiss. 

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Whenever I would tell someone of my condition, they would not take it seriously or forget it existed. I found myself often making excuses when people started noticing, saying phrases like "oh, I accidentally cut my hair a little too short," when referencing new hairs that were growing back because of current treatment.

Compounded with social stigma, the countless doctor appointments and consultations with a number of different specialists only amplified by frustration and resentment. It seemed like I was getting nowhere in trying to understand the whole picture, despite existing research that points to the interconnectivity across autoimmune diseases and other disorders. Going to medical appointments felt like I was hitting a wall. 

In making this space, I would like to show people how this condition and others can impact a person's life, especially from a youth perspective. Moreover, I hope to foster a community built on understanding and current research. I hope that this page will serve as a space for those who have suffered from autoimmune diseases - in ways big or small - to feel comfortable knowing others are out there who have undergone similar experiences with healthcare and social life. I enjoy learning about biology and writing, so I hope I can share some of these passions with youth!