Generous Deeds Done by People Who Think I'm Diseased

The look. You know what I'm talking about. The "oh goodness she's sick" or the "I hope she makes it through treatment" look. In my opinion, I am far from looking ill! Rosey red cheeks, a smile on my face, and enough energy to work a generator in a power outage. Through the years, I have been trained to just pass off looks and startle people with a "hey, how are you?" However, it wasn't always that easy.

With baldness comes simplicity. It also has been the reason for scoring some sweet deals, free items, or people sharing their stories with you. Here is a list of things I have recieved because of the generosity, or perhaps sympathy, of people I've encountered along the way.

-Front Row to a Black Keys Concert

-A free chocolate covered banana at a festival

-Many free beverages

-Free medicinal marijuana from a store

-Pulled over for speeding. Left with no ticket.

-"Here, please, go ahead of me." "Why, thank you good sir."

This list represents only a few things I can muster up in this moment. Majority of the time I have recieved the typical "are you going through treatment?" question. I always respond with a smile and a gentle laugh and go on with my alopecia explanation. I enjoy informing a curious individual on the wonders of my rare condition. It's wonderful that people ask questions, in fact, I encourage them. Why? Because people love to assume. It is important to let people know that there is not only one way queer things can happen. We have been privileged with having a condition that allows us to still be healthy and alive! We do not need a cure. We need to let others know that it is okay to embrace yourself fully for who you are. Why are you trying to cover up that beautiful dome with a synthetic bunch of uncomfortability? I had my days with those things we call wigs. I'm far from ever wearing one again.

Alopecia Awareness.

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