Hi, My name is Kayla. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata when I was 10 years old. When I was growing up, struggling with random balding spots as a child, it was a real struggle, so as I’ve gotten older, I tried to share my story to help others feel less alone, until it drastically changed. There are many factors to alopecia, for me specifically,the balding would sometimes be dormant for years, and sometimes be very active. I would normally get bald spots throughout my hair during high stressed times of my life. My first severe case was when I was starting middle school. My little brother passed away, my mom moved away to deal with her grief and I went into middle school (an already difficult ago for everyone) with half of my hair gone. Constantly bullied and made fun of. There weren’t a lot of options to try to help re-growth back then. From thirteen years old to 30 years old, I continued to get bald spots here and there throughout my life, but I had long thick hair and it was easy to hide. I shared my story and was open about my small bald spots and sterpid injections I would get to help regrowth. When I was 31 years old, and currently, with my last pregnancy, my Alopecia took the worse turn. Due to the hormonal changes of my pregnancy, I lost all of my hair. I am currently completely bald, no eyebrows, a few eyelashes left, arms and legs are completely bald. I always Thought I handled my alopecia well and have had the hardest struggle with this total hair loss. I canceled my wedding, I have no pictures with my 7 month old baby, I barely leave my house. I’m trying really hard to accept and be strong through this journey and go back to advocating, but it’s also difficult to be that vulnerable. I haven’t taken the step yet to purchase a wig due to the finances of a newborn, among other kids and maternity leave pay not being the best. I’m hoping to take that step soon and it bringing me a little more confidence back to my life. I feel guilty for my kids not having as fun of a summer due to me not wanting to leave the house and be seen. I try to teach my 12 year old daughter that there’s so much more to beauty and show strength, but worry I don’t portray the right message with my insecurities. I do feel like I am starting to feel to a point where I can share my story, I can show my face, and I truly want to let others know that they are not alone. It is okay to feel guilty. It is okay to feel embarrassed. It is okay to feel insecure. It is okay to go through all the stages of grief and just know that you are not alone. We are in this together and we will get through this together. And I want to be available to find a way to help others make it through this journey as much as I can, because I understand and I know what it’s like to feel like you can’t let it out and express it to your peers because it feels like no one understands.