To The World....

If this experience has taught me anything, it is the reality faced by so many on a daily basis. The reality that hair does not grow at the click of fingers. The reality, that in one second something that has taken years to grow can be taken from you, and with it a piece of your identity that takes years to replace. The reality that others will judge you; and there is nothing to hide behind besides a vast sea of air, that their comments punch right through.

It is truly eye opening being a first hand witness to the judgement people make, without knowing at all your situation. From the tutting in the street, to the comments of "my husband would send someone home from work looking like that", but then to the wonderful support, and the adorable curiosity of children amazed to see a woman without hair, still smiling and still strong. From being misgendered in restaurants, to being stared at as soon as you leave the house, to then reciving the comment "you brought the attention on yourself" when it upsets me. Yes, i did bring this upon myself, for a very sick little girl, who means more to me than my hair, who means more to me than any stare, any rude comment, any amount of misgendering. So yes, i made the choice, but it was one I would not trade for the world; simply for the sight of a beautiful little girl smiling, smiling through her illness, smiling through intensive chemotherapy, smiling as she holds my hand, smiling as she knows she is not alone and never ever will be. but it is not a choice I made to be judged. It is not a choice I made to be ridiculed or stared at. It is a choice I made through love, something this world seems so lacking of at times.

So regardless of who I am, my situation and my decisions, i do not want to be stared at like a zoo animal or judged like a convict. Now imagine, how awful someone who has cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, or any other disability that causes them to look different must feel when they are judged. They cannot hide from themselves and nor should they ever have to. Never forget that what makes us human is not our appearance. what makes us human is what is inside out hearts and minds, and the hearts of the people that love us. Being different is a miracle, so do not make others feel their differences are a curse! 📷❤📷❤📷❤