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CINDI'S STORY "Crowning Glory" NAME: Cindy AGE: 42 LOCATION: Alabama |
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ABOUT ME This is very important. First, this is a very short history lesson. It also is the story of a woman and her twenty-year struggle to be thought of as 'Normal.' But most of all, this is the story of a disease. A debilitating, evil condition that will probably strike someone you know. They will not die from this disease. They will not have a prolonged painful stay in the hospital. It is, in a way, much, much worse. From humanity's beginning, we have looked for ways to enhance the way we are perceived. |
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Many pieces of ancient artwork depict mankind's vanity. Heads are the first, and most decoratively adorned part of our anatomy. Faces, ears, and hair are molded, colored, shaped, pierced, and decorated. The more prominent and powerful the person, the more prominent the adornments. Kings and queens of Europe, Asian emperors and empresses, African chieftains and chieftainesses wore crowns upon their heads. Native American leaders wore gaily-colored headpieces of feathers adorning their heads. The head is even adorned in our characterizations of religious figures. Who hasn't seen a saint or angel with a halo. Medieval 'icons' were paintings and statues of the heavenly family; around their heads are glowing golden coronas. This was first done to make the figures more attractive and therefore more likely to induce patronage, All of these head embellishments are to convey power and attractiveness. We use these embellishments so much and so well that it is a requirement to make ourselves look more appealing to the opposite sex. |
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In today's modern society, do we give too much credence to the way we look? Today there are such things as 'Laser Treatment' and 'Hair Transplants' and permanent make up. We have make-up for daytime, make-up for evenings. Hair stylists are celebrities in Paris, New York, and Los Angeles. They can transform pretty people into "perfect" looking humans. Then these perfect people promote the "perfect" look. We are told we must look good. We have a right to look as good as we can, to feel the best we can feel. So much so that a multi-billion dollar industry has grown around us, just so we can pamper our most basic impulses. But is it an equal opportunity need. Of course not. The majority of men can 'get away' with clean clothes, a fresh shave, and a trim. For women, it's a totally different story, how many times have we heard wives and girlfriends say' I can't go out without my face on.' Whereas a man might spend a couple of dollars getting a haircut, women can spend not only hours, but also the family budget preparing them. Just so they look 'Natural'. Men can go so far as to just shave it off. Yul Bryner, Telly Savalas, Shaquille O'Neal all have or had empty pates. The most famous spokesman of our time, Michael Jordan, hasn't a hair on top of his head. |
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BUT A WOMAN? Do we see any Hollywood actresses showing the world how poor their hair is? No, and why not- because women are not supposed to be bald. Women still lose their hair, but it is mainly those who have had some form of cancer treatment. There are still other groups of women who lose their hair as well. Those that suffer from Alopecia. Alopecia Areata a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population, including more than 45 million people in the United States. Due to the fact that much of the public is still not familiar with Alopecia Areata, the disease has a profound impact on one's life and functional status. Alopecia Areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races; Although not life-threatening, Alopecia Areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease. |
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This is precisely what has happened to Cindy Lancaster. Imagine being a female in your 20s, sitting in a beauty salon to have what little hair that remained shaved off. Leaving a baldhead to think, "Who could love me now? Thoughts of hopelessness, a shattered self-image, fear of being alone for the rest of her life was going through her mind. Why? Its just hairloss&Its not cancer. To me as living with the disease of Alopecia it is a cancer. A very emotional one for me&or that teen just starting jr. high school. A struggle in itself, but having to start a year of teenage years with the disease of Alopecia. Wonders how many dates the young lady will be asked out on? . In a world of normal already having to know theyre different. But having to be made fun of over an illness. Or having to sit at home on a Saturday night. An illness that is very neglected. It is a disease that no one can miss. A disease that takes away what is supposed to be normal? People accept you or they dont. If there was only enough words to describe the feelings&only enough answers for the questions&if only time could heal the scares and wounds left from this very silent disease. |
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I watch shows where women just shave and be proud. Well I am proud. Im proud to look into a mirror and see my head covered with hair. Just because I enjoy myself more wearing a hairpiece doesnt make me less of a person. What about a show &Hair Systems&the world of Hollywood&or the world of helping 45 million cope with a disease called Alopecia. Thats not even counting Cancer patients. I purchased hot itchy baggy wigs for several hundred dollars. Just last week I received a beautiful hairpiece that took me almost 2 years to find. Is this the end? No not for me& As of now in my life. . I still sit asking and so wanting to feel normal, without waking every morning with a baldhead. The lack of information from my physician whom should be the soul sources of helping Patients of Alopecia cope with our disease; is the least of help. Nor my insurance company; because Alopecia is considered cosmetic so its not covered? Thought the majority was born with hair. Nor is the Alopecia Areata Foundation. |
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In which I contacted in 1986 and to this day have received very little help or assistance to cope with my disease. For as of this moment in my life; almost 20 years later and much pain, hurt frustration, accepting, and believing, Im closer to looking into the mirror and smiling. For with much time effort and energy I am finding ways of living with my condition of baldness. |
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Ive been seeking the wonderful world of hairsystems. I so hope to help others learn and not have to sit and wait 20 years to view what I am about to post. Or do without because of cost or money. Or without, because of where they come from in this lovely world of society and humanity&&If a face could paint a thousand words&I hope these eyes of happiness shows what a little thing called hair can do |
