This time two years ago, my then 13 year old daughter Maya, suffered almost total hairloss with Alopecia. Brought on by anxiety as a result of acute trauma her hair started to fall out in clumps and patches at the top of her head. This spread all the way around. The worst was that it started happening towards the end of one school year, lost it all over the holidays and the anxiety of coming back to school with a bald head was frightening.
My daughter dealt with this with such grace and confidence...I know she was dying inside. With the last two weeks to the new school year, she asked me, 'how will I go to school like this? They saw me with long hair and now I have none'.
I knew what we should do...it was weather she was confident enough to listen to my advice. I had already emailed the school to make them aware. I wasn't sure I'd get a reply as it was the holidays but a few days later, the welfare officer emailed me back saying that all teachers would be made aware and would look out for her and for any signs of bullying. They also told her she could wear a hat or scarf or wig to make her feel more comfortable.
Meanwhile, to deal with the issue with fellow friends and pupils who were unaware, Maya took my suggestion of making a youtube video highlighting ... what, why, when and how
I can't tell you how relieved I was that Maya's friends and pupils from school contacted her via instagram to tell her that they loved her hair or no hair. That they would look out for her and support her. We both got messages of support and our followers shared their own stories with us. Maya became an inspiration to others and it wasn't long before she offered support to fellow sufferers and was happier to go without the bandana or hat.
Maya's school awarded her the bravery shield last year...and I couldn't be more proud of her.
This was her second episode of alopecia. She had had one before in a tiny area. For me, it wasn't too worried the first time as my own sister had it for years. However, the second time was really hard. I watched her go to a barber who shaved what little wisps of hair she had left. I cried looking at her look lost and scared watching her hair go. My reaction was to shave one side of my own hair and bob the other side of my long hair. I felt I couldn't have mine long whilst she was suffering. I wanted to shave it but she didn't let me.
Throughout all of this, my daughter was strong and confident and accepting. This reminds me of a particular lady who called me about her daughter's hair loss. Her daughter was a toddler and my advice was that she needed to stop blaming herself and accept it. She wasn't willing to. This broke my heart.
For treatment, I took her to my chiropractor who relieved toxins, stress and tension with massage and chiropractic treatment. She also learned to self meditate and better organisation of her time. She took bio care vitamins and minerals after my chiropractor diagnosed deficiencies via kinesiology
My daughter now has shoulder length curly hair. It was baby fine and lightweight to start with but now it's getting stronger. She likes the haphazard way it curls and frizzes. She took up dancing and meditation to deal with her anxiety and I honestly don't think she'll ever have another episode of alopecia. She's become so strong now and doesn't worry about the little things. It was humbling for a girl who was quite materialistic and where looks and beauty was more important. She now realises that she can over come adversity.
I hope this was inspiring to you and please do feel free to ask us any questions.
Nisha
Snapchat | Instagram | Youtube @NishaDavdra
A difficult time for all of us. As Maya's Dad, I felt helpless for the first time. Watching her shave her head was a deep punch in the stomach
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