living with vitiligo?

PackMom
Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:53:58 +0000

My S has a friend with Alopecia (hair loss). He started losing hair in 2nd grade and was soon completely bald. Elem. and middle school were tough years for a bald kid. He has a really odd shaped head too which didn’t help. He def. didn’t look like the cool pro athletes who shave their heads.

Over the years his hair would grow back and then fall out again. He’s taken all kinds of medicines and used hairsprays and make-up.

He’s now a rising h.s. senior. He has hair on about half of his head very patchy BUT he is #1 in the senior class, plays on the golf team, and has a girlfriend (who’s really cute, btw). He has always carried himself with great self confidence even when it’s been very hard to not be embarrased.

All the kids have gotten used to him and nobody asks weird questions (like, do you have cancer?) anymore. I’m sure it bugs him and he wishes he had normal hair but to eveybody else, it’s not a big deal. People just like him for who he is.
You will certainly have some explaining to do because people are just naturally curious. Just be as matter of fact as you can and then move on with everyday life. Try your hardest to focus on your strengths/the positives. It has really worked for my S’s friend.