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Shandi and Makenzi - Baldie of The Month

8/17/2015

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I couldn't help but recognize these two gorgeous beauties, Mother and Daughter, who both have Alopecia. They both stood out to me with their gorgeous photos on Facebook and Instagram, Embracing their Baldness and loving themselves and each other the best way they know how. It's just so amazing how they both have Alopecia yet remain beautiful and strong through it all. Congrats Shandi and Makenzi on being named Baldie of The Month of August.



Why are you and your daughter Bald?

We both have Alopecia

How long have you been bald?
I've been bald for 7 years being diagnosed at 16
it will make a year September 4th for my daughter Makenzi

What are some challenges you and your daughter have faced being Baldies?
The biggest challenge for me was accepting who I really was. At the age of 16 when I was diagnosed i was in the prime light of my life, I was in high school, very well known, liked and a social butterfly. i lost every spec of hair on my head in a six week period, starting from the day i was diagnosed. I was crushed. It had seemed like my whole life had fallen apart. I was depressed, lost, scared, I even contemplated suicide a few times. I hated myself, my life and I thought i was ugly. I thought that no guy would ever want her girl who did not have hair and To make matters worse I had nobody in my corner supporting me. I really had no Idea what this disease was and always wonder how and why did this have to happen to me. The only thing i could think of to do was hide it. Hide who I really was and hide how i felt inside. It was like putting on a mask. I hid this disease for six years up until my baby girl was  diagnosed May of 2014 when she was just 2 years old. Once again my whole life had been torn apart. As a mother my biggest challenge was seeing my daughter go through this all knowing I had been there before. As a mother I never wanted my daughter to feel how I felt. I was scared and angry. I cried for months. she is so beautiful, smart and outgoing and I never wanted none of that to ever change.So, I made promise to her that she would never feel how i felt, she would never grow to hate her self, and she would never have to go through any of this alone. August 25th I threw every wig and hair piece away in my house and for the first time I let the world see what was behind the mask. It turned out to be one of the greatest days of my life. It was truly life changing. It was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I learned to love myself again and most of all I am my daughters biggest hero. As Kenzi continues to get older I have been noticing that sometimes she doesn't like being bald. She sometimes ask when will she get her hair back. I continue to encourage and let her know that you don't need to hair because bald is beautiful too.
 
What Words of Encouragement would you share for those who aren't as confident with their baldness as you?

For everyone who is going through hair loss, just stay true to who you are, don't hide behind the masks (wigs, extensions, etc) and to let go of everything that's been weighting you down.To the mothers and fathers of children going through hair loss, encourage your children,and most of all support them. Remind them daily that bald is beautiful too.

My Bald is Beautiful too. 

Thank you so much Shandi and Makenzi
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Natalie Cartledge - Baldie of the Month

6/6/2015

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Before we begin sharing this Gorgeous Beauty's story, we'd like to personally thank you Natalie for your undying support, your donations, and most importantly your ability to stay true to who you are. You are such a beautiful person and we couldn't ask for better support than what you have shown towards The Bald Movement. Congratulations on being selected as 
Baldie of the Month of June. 

Her story...

Tell us a bit about your decision to cut your hair or why you went bald? I'm bald by Alopecia and by choice. For eight years,I had long waist length dreadlocks. In summer 2013,they began to slowly fall out,and eventually I cut the remaining locks off. Then,I was admitted to the hospital for an unknown infection which nearly cost me my life...twice. During that time,I realized that I don't need hair to be beautiful,or to justify my femininity. So,as my hair began to slowly grow back,I made the choice to shave my hair on my 34th birthday,and it has been the best decision of my life.

Do you feel you've changed for the better since you went bald? Absolutely! I feel more confident and beautiful. It's absolute freedom!

What words of encouragement would you share with someone who isn't confident with themselves as you are? There are more important things in life than hair. Be blessed to have your health and loved ones.

Finish this sentence: (My) Bald is is bold,confident and beautiful!

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Janitha Lawson- Baldie ofthe Month

5/1/2015

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While attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff , I would see this beautiful women walking around Bald and All and I used to say to myself, I'm not sure why she's bald but that's one brave woman. At that time I was still trying to figure out my purpose for life and even battling with my image. Though I'm not too sure if anyone may have made fun or picked on her because of her Baldness this gorgeous Bald Beauty always Embraced it. Ive never seen his young lady wear wigs, she has always embraced who she was, and when she decided to reach out and share her story it truly made my heart sing, which is also one of her talents.

Thank you so much
Janitha  for reaching out and supporting by sharing your story. Because of the beautiful woman I witnessed back then till now, I name you Baldie of the Month of May, Congratulations.

What made you follow The Bald Movement?
I actually have followed the Bald Movement for a while and I used to be classmates with the founder

Why are you BALD? At the age of 4 I began losing my hair from a condition called Alopecia Areata. Since then after trying wigs and realized it made me ashamed of who I was on top of the wigs itching I made the choice to just be bald and haven't went back since!

When did you realize that Hair didn't determine your beauty? When I began viewing myself with the eyes God views me with. It says in his word I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And his definition of what defines beauty isn't based on the physical but he is looking towards our hearts and our spirits. His opinion is the only one that matters.

What words of encouragement would you share with someone who isn't confident with themselves as you are? Accept that God makes no mistakes! Your worth and value isn't determined by the opinion of others or your own opinion of yourself. Know who you are and whose you are. And once you are able to stand firm on those positive truths and not those negative lies, you will become fearless!
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Chloe James - Baldie of the Month

4/3/2015

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We would like to introduce to you our Baldie of the Month of April, Ms Chloe James. This gorgeous Bald beauty was chosen not only because of how beautiful she is, inside and out, but because when she looked in the mirror after going bald, SHE SAW HER and realized that Hair didn't determine her beauty. She was beautiful because she said so, and it's been like that for her ever since. Be Inspired by her story below.

I'm Bald because I live in Freedom. My bald head represents my freedom. My freedom to choose who I want to be and what I want to do. It is my way of speaking without ever saying a word. My bald head represents my sexuality: it says that I am open to all things beautiful, because I am one of those beautiful things.

When did you realize that Hair didn't determine your beauty? One night, as I stood looking in my bathroom mirror, I intensely began studying my facial features. I looked at the shape of my eyes, the curve of my nose, the highness of my cheeks, the fullness of my lips... and I realized just how naturally beautiful I was. Then my eyes trailed to the top of my head, and they stayed there for a second. It was in that moment that I realized, though I looked beautiful on the outside, I didn't feel beautiful on the inside. I had no clue who I was, or what I wanted out of life. All I knew to be true, was that I had successfully measured up to and met the standards of what is looked at as " Conventional Beauty". I had long hair, a pretty face, a nice body, all the things that one desires to be "Beautiful". On the outside I was a complete Winner, but on the inside I couldn't have been more of a Loser. I was lost. Partially because I had no identity. I looked, felt and acted like every girl I knew. It was in that moment, that I had a desperate desire to "SEE" myself. Not the self that I thought I was, or the self that people knew me to be, but the self that I was deep down inside. I wanted to meet the strong, confident and independent woman that I knew had lived inside of me all this time, but I also knew it would take something drastic to bring her out. So I grabbed my uncle's clippers and I shaved my head, completely. I placed the clippers on the counter and I looked in the mirror again, and for the first time in my life, I can honestly say: I SAW ME. That was the moment that I realized: Hair didn't determine my beauty. I was beautiful because I said so, and it's been like that ever since

What words of encouragement would you share with someone who isn't confident with themselves as you are? Love yourself for who you are naturally, whatever natural means for you. It's a certain peace that comes with seeing yourself everyday for the first time. Make an effort daily to love the person you see
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Baldie of the Month - Carlotta Gilmer

3/6/2015

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Congratulations to Charlotta Gilmer for being chosen Baldie of the Month of March. Even though Charlotta went Bald out of frustration, she realized it was a true display of her confidence. Read more below.



March 1 2015 I went bald...... by choice! It wasn't something I had to think about or even wonder what people would think. I cut my hair out of frustration. I was tired of coming up with hair styles. I posted a picture to IG and FB with no thought or care to what anyone had to say. But hey that is just who I am!😗 I woke up this morning nothing was unusual for me. I took my boyfriend his lunch he left at home around 8:30am. I went to the mall to see my friend Ro. I talked to her for a bit and that's when my life changed! A woman walked by and said to me "baby you are gorgeous let me see you spin" and without a thought I was spinning saying "Yaaaasss honey so are you!" This woman said this to me every time she saw me in the next hour and half which was about 5-7 times. People for some reason smiled at me, several talked to me, asked how I was doing, told me to have a great day, told me I was beautiful, and winked at me. I started to feel bad because I thought maybe people were thinking I was sick. This continued all day. I let it and spoke when I was spoken too, smiled when people smiled at me. Until I headed in the grocery store and this lady coming out looks at me quickly takes off her hat and says " SISTA!!!!!!" she opens her arms greets me with a huge smile showing me her bald head. We briefly exchanged stories on why we went bald by choice. That's when it hit me! Going bald wasn't just me being tired of my hair. It was a true display of my confidence. Some people have no choice and I did it with having several choices. At this point I am thinking I want to stay bald even on my wedding day! I have never felt this good about myself. It was a new a high and of 30 yrs I've been on earth today was a day I didn't have to worry about my hair and I FREAKING LOVED IT! (Pound)Baldbychoice (Pound)Myboyfriendlovesme (Pound)Idontneedhairtofeelorbesexy And just because I am me I will add (Pound)YouMadYouNeedThatBrazilianaOrNah I tried to tag you to my post. I don't know if it worked. I just want to say thank you for having this group!





You are more than welcome Charlotta. Welcome to The Bald Movement and again congrats on being named Baldie of the Month, You deserve it. 
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Baldie of the Month of January - Abi Adeyemi

1/1/2015

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We'd like to start the new year off by sharing a story of a young lady who not only chose to be Bald and has an amazing story that will surely change how you see yourself as a Baldie but this story was chosen because she realized that being Bald allows you to look beyond your flaws and imperfections because you are forced ( in a good way ) to face them rather than cover them up (hide). As I always say, there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is unafraid to be herself. Congrats on being names Baldie of the month of January.

I have been a happy Baldie for about 7 years. Prior to that I was nearly bald with a very short low cut for a good 10 years by choice . While I was pregnant with my son 8 years ago I decided not to cut my hair during pregnancy and my hair grew into a major afro. Then of course within 2 months of having him I was fed up with the hair and didn't know what to do with it. If I had that kinda fro now I’d work it like a Queen. But as it was my 1st child and I was busy trying to get a hang of things, hair was not a priority. So I decide to go get some Ghana weaving to save me time for 2 weeks. I wish I could take those 2 weeks back. Cause you would have lol’d if you saw me 10 days into it. We had lift off. ( You know the one, where the front baby hair part starts to lift off your scalp with the extensions braided into it, chai – that’s Nigerian for I am f**ked )  So of cause when I took the braids out my hairline was MISSING!! Yas hunty – gone with the wind GONE . LOL  . I was totally vex. But didn't think twice to get the chop. I was like, yeah imma just go back to my low cut. My barber missed me but then when I took off my hat, he had a good laugh at my expense. So I had it cut down quite low. But by the next day I got upset every time I walked past a mirror. So I went back to the barber and asked for a clean shave. Now, even though I had worn my hair very low for many years, getting a complete shave was different. It took me 2 days to go out without a hat. But once I did, that was it. I was free and didn't look back. 

Every year I get adventurous and decide to grow my hair and the growing process is usually always quick but annoying for me. Ordinarily, if I don’t get a shave in 6 – 7 days I get irritated and get random headaches. So when I decide to grow it out I literally go about 2 to 3 months without shaving. I change the color a couple of times, get a couple of creative haircuts, and then get fed up and shave it off again. Like nah, can I just have an Afro in 3 months please, then we can deal.  I have always been a get up and go kinda woman.  Don’t get me wrong, I do love hair, My 5 year old daughter has plenty of it and she wears it well. I appreciate good healthy hair , especially when worn natural. I just don’t have the patience to grow mine. As a lady I have never been a fan of the drama that comes with growing hair. The wait at the salon, deciding what style to do, the  - I can't go out cause my hair ain't done. Yeah, I am not here for it. I am all for enhancing your beauty, I encourage others to do so. But I literally just cannot be bothered. Let’s just say I am lucky I have a decent shaped head. Wearing your hair bald by choice can be refreshing yet scary in the early days. We are all born with hair and we are taught to cherish and protect it from an early age, so when we are stripped of it, for whatever reasons, it’s always a significant change.

It comes easy for some, yet not so easy for others. Some say it shows strength and power to go bald. Which it does to an extent because you are stepping out of the box. But Ultimately it is for me  ( this goes for those doing it by choice or because of a condition , NOT for those doing it as a fashion statement ) also a sign of courage . There is usually an intricate trait in women who freely go bald and wear it with pride. There is a knowing, a different layer of wisdom that strives within such women and that always needs to be celebrated . 
 
Being bald means I look in the mirror less. I spend very little because I shave myself and use my own home made lotions and potions which my daughter and son also benefit from. I spend ZERO time at the salon, and people compliment me often.
Being a baldie also allows you to see yourself clearly. With naked eyes. No noise. It allows you to look beyond your flaws and imperfections because you are forced to face them. This again depends on the individual.

It’s different for everyone. My aura, energy and personality has been more or less the same since I was like 10 so I am used to the same level of attention. People mention my personality and ability to make them feel free a lot more than they mention the baldness. I have been told many times that it’s almost as if this is how I am destined to be. Like having hair would actually be what is odd for me. 

If you are bald, by choice or condition. Embrace it, look in the mirror and accept yourself for who you truly are. Rise above the insecurities that the society has instilled in you and love yourself wholeheartedly. Your hair is a part of you, it is not all that you are. You and everyone else should be able to see past that. It is important for us to be able to love what we see in the mirror , but that comes a little easier when we already love what is within . So the key here really is to embrace acceptance and being true to oneself, and if you are not happy with it, you can always wear a dope wig. 

From a happy natural, proud Sexy baldie

Abi Adeyemi



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Baldie of The Month - December - Madison Chin

12/4/2014

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This gorgeous bald beauty not only has Alopecia but to be so young, 4 years old, she has learned to embrace her baldness and with the strength and courage gained she has inspired those who've crossed her path. Thank you Maddy for your willingness to love yourself regardless of your circumstance, thank you for supporting The Bald Movement, thank you for simply being you. Her story below was written by her supportive and loving mother Danielle Chin. Congrats on being Baldie of The Month of December.


In December 2013, 25 days away from her 4th birthday my daughter Madison was diagnosed with Alopecia and I felt hopeless. I had no idea what alopecia was and worse no idea how to help her. From age 2 our baby girl Madison had beautiful dread locks. We would  style them, put pretty ribbons in them and occasionally dress them up with a cool hat. She loved her hair. But when I started seeing patches and then we started finding Locs in her bed and in the play area we knew something was wrong.


Time went by and eventually all of her Locs were claimed by Alopecia and soon her eye brows and eye lashes followed. We saved her Locs in a special box in hopes of using them to maybe make a wig for her. In the meantime we adorned  her head with hats. Lots and lots of hats. Hats that were cute. Hats that were not so cute. Some that were small and others that were too big. All too often these hats got in the way of Madison just being a "uniquely" normal 4 year old, who wanted to run and jump and have fun.

So my husband and I decided to search for wigs. Unfortunately, there were many obstacles in the search,  as we were looking for something age appropriate and culturally fitting. We reached out to some of our Social media friends for suggestions and our request basically went viral. At least to us it did. People started offering to donate their hair, to cut their dread locks. They offered their time and their advice and solutions. It was amazing.

But the amazement soon turned into to further disappointment as we hit more road block with some of the suggestions and referrals to well know organizations who accepts, processes and uses donated human hair to creat wigs for those suffering from hair loss. There we were with such brave and selfless people ready and waiting to make the big chop for our little girl and we had to basically turn them away.

You see, none of these popular organizations for donated hair  were versed in dealing with dread locks, nor were they able to fulfill our request for a natural wig that was culturally fitting. We really wanted something that was similar to Madison's  hair before and resembled the hair of others she sees and identifies with on a daily basis. One stylist took on the challenge and created a signature wig- which she calls Crowns. From this one experience the stylist Hadiiya Barbel said,  the process  of creating the crown for Madison was divinely fulfilling for her. "It's the energy and love put into the details and creative process of customization that makes the difference between a wig and a crown, and this one is really special." On september3rd,  2014, the start of Alopecia awareness month Madison was  Crowned.  Since then Madison has been crowned twice with two other customs from stylist who put great time and talent into the pieces that they made special for her.  
We have been blessed to meet so many people great people on this journey including The beautiful baldie Nell Coleman, a true inspiration and visionary. Nerissa Irving, whose kind heart moved her to post about our quest for a wig for Madison.   And Sammy Jones of Guam,  who in browsing on Instgram Madison's page, read her story and decided to shave her head in support of Madison's struggle with Alopecia. It's amazing. This total stranger is now our great friend and we lend support to each other as we have embraced and joined not only the Bald Movement, but also Team Bobbie. A support team for Sammy Jones' mom who is ill with cancer.   And Stephanie Croker of Sdotbeautyproducts and Chrissy J who made her first wig totally from locs that were donated. And soooo many more, that I now hash tag every photo of Madison with the the saying "it takes a village". 

As a family we strive NOT to cover up Madison's Alopecia, but to be proactive advocates for her and this disorder.  One of my greatest concerns is that we might not be able to shade her from the cruelty of this somewhat difficult world.  Baldness is far from the normal acceptable qualifications of beauty as far as this society is concerned.  So we encourage Madison to constantly recognize that her inner beauty is what makes her outwardly beautiful and that with or without her Crown/hat or scarf  she is the epitome of beautiful. We instill in her the importance of peace and humility,  cultural identification and the strength to accept the individual uniqueness in all of us.

I am proud to say that my daughter Madison has claimed the victory over her Alopecia and has come to embrace, grow and love her baldness. It has positively affected us all and made us a stronger family unit.  She radiates with such joy, confidence and strength it's infectious and us around her can't help but to be stronger, happier and more confident too. Alopecia is not who she is, it's just a small part of a bigger, successful, witty little girl, who just happens to have no hair and totally rocks at being bald.
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Baldie of the Month- November- Cassandra  Simpliciano

11/19/2014

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Less than a month ago, I have decided to shave my head for my Mother, Barbara who has been battling Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma (lung cancer). In February of 2013, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarinoma. We caught it way too late and who would have thought time would fly right by us and we would experience all the drastic changes and see my mother suffer day by day. God is good though!  We still have my mother with us today. Doctors on Guam and in the Philippines have told us that she should have been gone a long time ago and that prayers are keeping her alive. 

After countless, radiation treatments and weeks of chemotherapy, Mom’s hair was finally starting to fall out and it was visible. My mother has always been a quiet, gentle and warm hearted woman who was full of grace and never left the house without looking presentable. She lost her vision completely around May of this year and just seeing Mom go through all the physical changes and suffering made me feel so helpless. I finally shaved my head on October 25 and when I came home, I held her hand and ran it over my head to feel it – “Cassie, I can’t believe you did it!” She finally gave in and allowed me to shave her head and what hair was left. She looks gorgeous!


We have always heard the term "Bald is Beautiful" right? The minute I shaved my head at the Salon and the way people just sighed at me and told me how beautiful I looked with and without hair - not only made me feel even more beautiful but made me feel like I have done some good in this world by supporting my mother and all women and children who have no choice but to be bald! 

Few days later, I came across a beautiful little girl's photo on Instagram while browsing and fell in love with her. Maddison Chin was diagnosed with Alopecia (a term I was never familiar with). I commented on her photo, began to follow her and her Mother, Danielle Chin and I have exchanged emails, messages and photos since. My intention of shaving my head was to shave it ONCE and grow it out. After seeing Maddison’s photo, I decided to shave it again for her and stick to being bald for all women and children. Not only has being bald made me an even better person but it has also allowed me to see past all the physical traits of a person and see realize what true beauty really is. The decision to shave my head has brought so much love, peace and happiness in my heart - not to mention new friends and pure, genuine and beautiful people in my life. 


The society we live in is very judgmental and if we are being honest with ourselves, we all know it can be a cruel world out there. I understand how afraid or insecure young children, teenagers and even grown women are afraid to step out in public with no hair! I was afraid to do so too. You have to remember this small trick: Hair really is just an accessory. You see how there are beautiful people with their long healthy locks but their personality or attitude just sucks? Well there you go! Someone can be physically beautiful on the outside but their personality and morals makes them ugly. TRUE BEAUTY lies beneath all that and comes from the heart and soul. Most women and children, who are bald, are bold, beautiful and brave inside and out. Very few of us can rock our shaved heads and get it away with it – we are admired by many if not all, to be bald and be comfortable in our own skin. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. God bless you all: Men, Women and children who support the Bald Movement and Nell Coleman for founding this movement. God is not sleeping and blessings will be brought to you and your families today and always.




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Baldie of the Month - October- Ms Z. Woods

10/27/2014

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I'd like to introduce to you Ms Z. Woods. This gorgeous beauty was chosen as Baldie of the Month b/c even though she has grown her hair back out, through her experience as a Baldie she learned so much about herself that she may not have learned if she never went Bald. She realized that she was beautiful without needing others to confirm it and true meaning of letting go because after all....its JUST hair. Her story begins below.

For the majority of my life I never really gave much thought to my physical appearance, beauty and hair. Styling my hair consisted of a monthly relaxer, blow dry and flat iron which would end with my hair either a pony tail or just out with no pins or scrunchies. I did a "big chop" at the start of junior year of high school and left about a half an inch of curly hair dyed fire red on my head and by senior prom, I "rocked" my natural tight, shoulder length curls. For the next few years of college I continued to bounce between perms, big chops, weaves, braids, etc and in between all these hair changes I was NEVER satisfied!   

While in college, a very good friend of mine would make random comments encouraging me to go bald every time I expressed annoyance with needing to find a new hairstyle but the suggestions were always brushed off because I always associated being bald with male and female masculinity. Then one morning, several years post graduation, while staring at my reflection trying to figure out if I should do a high pony puff or a low one (those were my only options while frustrated and lazy) I told myself "just shave it off. It's just hair and will grow back." Every day following that split second thought I convinced myself more and more as to why I should cut my hair off and started to feel a combination of nervousness and excitement while trying to find the best salon to help me take that leap. Before the cut I did share my desires with some friends and family and about 99% of the feedback was discouraging. No one wanted ME to cut MY hair! So, without telling all but one person, I set a date and shaved my head!

 Seeing my reflection in the mirror for the first time without hair was quite liberating and the days and months following the chop ushered in a new focus in my life. From the foods I ate (avoiding things that caused breakouts and bloating), my sleep habits, the way I perfected my mascara and lipstick routine and even my earring selections, I began to take better care of and paid more attention to ME. Even the stares and compliments from men shifted from being called "sexy" to being called "beautiful" :) 

 I remained a bald beauty for 2 1/2 years and each time I went for my cut, I felt renewed and swore I would grow old bald but recently, that though has changed a bit. I began to miss my curls and have began desiring the various twists and faux locs that has resurfaced in the hair world and so I stopped cutting my hair. It has been a few months since my last hair cut (my barber keeps trying to get me back) and as of now I am satisfied with the rapid growth I have seen with my hair. There is, however, a bit of an (impatient) waiting game happening daily with anticipating the day I can get braids and I am slowly reminded of the numerous products needed in order to keep my curls moisturized and healthy but watching it grow from next to nothing ah la one step from Michael Jordan is quite amazing.  Who knows: maybe one day I will cut it all off again or maybe I will never cut it again. Either way, my hair (or lack there of) has taught me so much about myself: finding my own voice when the voices of others attempt to shout louder, realizing that I am beautiful without needing others to confirm it for me to believe it and the true meaning of letting go because after all....its JUST hair.

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Baldie of The Month - September-Sharee McCants

9/16/2014

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We'd like to introduce to you the Beautiful Baldie Sharee Mccants. We decided to feature this beauty on this month because 5 years ago on this is the exact month she began to lose her hair, and 5 years later she has now accepted and embraced her Baldness more than ever before. Be inspired as she shares her journey to hair loss and how it has empowered her more than ever before.

On September 13, 2009, I suddenly began waking up to gobs of hair on my pillow.  After a few days of this, I finally called one of my dearest friends who was my hair stylist at the time, I said: I think my hair is falling out. In a nonchalant tone she responded; it’s probably nothing, you may need a good conditioning.  In my heart I knew I needed more than that, but I accepted her response with no rebuttal or challenge.

Never would I have thought that by September 20, 2009 (7 days later), I would have gone from having a full head of natural hair to being 95% bald! OMG! I was so astounded with disbelief…I was simply numb!  I spent the next days, weeks going to doctor after doctor, having tests run, and feeling simply powerless the entire time.  All I could think was: What is wrong with me?  Two weeks before my 35th birthday, finally the results: Ms. McCants, you have Alopecia - Alopecia Areata.  I quickly and optimistically responded; “Okay, what can I do to stop it?”  How do we get my hair to grow back?  The doctor took a deep breath and said, “Well...” and I stopped listening.  Happy Birthday to me!

I was sent home with some pamphlets and a number of “possible” options for treatment that, “may or may not” work.  Bottom-line, there was no cure. The numbness became piercing and it grew into sadness and anger.  Why was this happening to me?  For the next 8 or 9 months I wore a wig that I felt stripped me of my identity.  Of that I spent 6 months getting steroid injections into my scalp in hopes of stimulating my hair follicles to produce hair growth.  Not only did this painful regiment not work, during this time I noticed that I was no longer growing hair on my legs, underarms, or my “girl” parts.  Okay, so I must admit I was not all that sad about that part...LOL!


To everyone on the outside looking in, I was handling my hair loss very well.  However, I was not.  Who am I without my hair?  I am a woman; I am supposed to have hair, right? Who is going to be attracted to a woman with no hair?  How was I supposed to workout in a wig?  I could not workout with a wig on, so I stopped.  I stopped dating. I only did things I had to do and even that was a struggle...I was losing myself just as I had lost my hair...I was losing this battle.  I felt like I had stopped living.



I got to a point where I knew I had to redefine myself; I am a fighter.  I was determined to come out on top! So on, January 1, 2010, was my coming out celebration.  New Year, new me; no more wig, no more hiding!  Although I was scared, I mentally prepared myself (and my then 10 year old daughter) for the stares and the random questions.  I was more comfortable looking in the mirror at my baldhead, than I was looking at myself with a wig on.  I could not identify with that person.  Wearing my baldhead made me feel liberated and free and powerful, it made me feel complete.

Fast forward it will be 5 years in September that I have been rocking my baldhead!  And to be honest I cannot imagine seeing myself any other way.  I have been approach by so many women and men who have complimented me on my courage to wear my bald head. 

Recently, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and is under going chemo.  And during the beginning of her treat, she decided to cut off all her hair.  Her logic behind this was,she had seen see the emotional torment of me losing my daughter loss her hair and what that did to her emotionally.  “I will cut my hair while I still have control.  Because of my daughter’s strength, I am not afraid to be bald”. God’s plan makes sense to me know.

Since I lost my hair I have been trying to think of a way to create a platform to not just bring awareness to alopecia, but to also embrace the beauty of simply being bald (rather by choice or not) coupled with a little bite of fashion and fierceness.  I had so many ideas, but I was still struggling to bring all the pieces together and be unique.  It wasn’t until I saw pictures of you (Nell Coleman), and learned that you were the mastermind behind The Bald Movement.  After further reading The Bald Movement FB page and mission, it was like an aha moment.  The Bald Movement was what I was trying to orchestra all along.  

Yet, again I am stepping out on a leap of faith sharing “my” story.  My quest is not to necessarily glamorize this condition, but to empower woman who think they can’t.




4 Comments

BALDIE of the Month - August

8/19/2014

1 Comment

 
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She's strong, courageous, beautiful, and TBM couldn't help but notice how confident she is and how much she embraces her baldness despite the fact that she has Alopecia Universalis, a rare auto-immune disease that causes hair loss (in her case, total body hair loss).


Ladies and Gentlemen we present to you, Baldie of the Month, Ms Anna Lisa Parrish. Check out her story below on why she is BALD.


I will never forget the look of unconditional love on my baby girl's face as I walked out of the salon bald and in tears. It was a look that changed me forever. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis, a rare auto-immune disease that causes hair loss (in my case, total body hair loss) when my daughter was about 7 months old. I had been losing clumps of hair for a couple months but I just thought it was normal, postpartum hair loss. I knew I had a problem when I realized all my arm hair was gone. During the time of my diagnosis, I was at the lowest point of my life emotionally and physically. I felt VERY uncomfortable with my body and I was very self conscience about how I looked. We had just moved to a new city for my husband's job and I was having a hard time adjusting to a new city and having two kids. I was not in a good place and now I had a life changing diagnosis. While my hair was falling out, I kept cutting it shorter and shorter just so it would look good and I wouldn't have to deal with long strands of hair everywhere. One day I decided to go in and get a cute "boy cut" because my hair was too thin to look good short. To my horror, the hairdresser took a number 8 razor to my hair and shaved it all off! I was no where near being ready to accept my new reality with no hair but now I didn't have a choice. As I was walking out of the salon, I stopped to pick up my daughter (thank God my husband and kids were there with me) and when I picked her up, she looked in my eyes and smiled at me. It was in that moment that I realized that no matter what I looked like, I was always going to be her mommy. In a split second, my 7 month old changed my outlook. I am more than my hair. I am more than my outward appearance. I am a daughter of God. I am a wife and a mom. I am a daughter and friend. I am a business owner. I am me. I am more than my hair. It's been a little over two years since my diagnosis and I have lost over 95% of my hair but I am happier than I have ever been. I own my own business, I am in the best physical shape I've been in for a long time, and most importantly, I am confident in myself. I decided shortly after my diagnosis that I wouldn't wear a wig or cover up my bald head because I wanted to be true to myself and show my kids what it's like to totally accept yourself, flaws and all. I see in the blessings around me everyday how Alopecia has made me a stronger and better woman and I can honestly say I am thankful for my Alopecia.
1 Comment

Baldie of the Month - July

7/4/2014

2 Comments

 
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Today we'd like to introduce to you Ms. Carly Pandza, a beautiful soul that is making a difference in the world with her beautiful spirit and soon amazing event called "You are not your hair" August 16, 2014 in Los Angeles that we had the honor of partnering with for this event. 

Why are you BALD?*

I’m bald because I choose to be bald. Shaving my head was something 
that I always wanted to do and I realized last year that it was as if I waiting 
for someone to give me permission to do so.  I was waiting for perfect 
opportunity to present itself when I realized I needed to create that 
opportunity. It is time because I say it is time.


 That is one of the reasons I am partnering with The Bald 
Movement
 to put on the event “You Are Not Your Hair” that will take place on 
August 16th, 2014 in Los Angeles. I wanted to provide 
the opportunity for women to access their inner beauty and transform their 
confidence by through letting it all go. 

Now there is an opportunity for women that have this taboo wish like I 
had to shave their heads for a great cause. 


 How has being BALD impacted your life?


 Being bald I get my inner beauty as an experience. Being bald allows me 
the access to the possibility of being fun, free, vulnerable and self expressed 
even without hair and I want all women to have the opportunity to experience 
that if they so desire. 

Being bald makes getting ready SO much easier. I don’t need shampoo, 
conditioner or any sort of hair product anymore. 


I have sensitive sensations of hot and cold on my scalp when there is 
slight temperature shift that I never experienced before with hair. I usually 
make sure I have a hair or scarf when I go places for that very reason. I also 
have to be conscious of sunscreen on hot days or else my scalp will burn and I 
will look like I have a big round tomato head.


 Since I shaved my head one year ago in June 2013 I have lost 25 lbs, 
become vegetarian and created a healthy lifestyle that was nonexistent in my 
life before. I literally cannot have one drink anymore without getting drunk 
because my tolerance has gone down so much due to my diet shift.


 By letting go of my attachment to hair I let go of other things in my 
life that were no longer serving me.


 I’m not promising that this sort of physical transformation will happen 
to every women if she shaves her head but it definitely happened to me and I 
don’t think it was a coincidence. I believe that most things cause a ripple 
affect in life. Shaving my head caused a spiritual, emotional and physical 
transformation of mind, body and spirit. A metaphorical and physical rebirth if 
you will. 


What's the worst thing that has happened or has been said to you as 
a BALD woman? 

I don’t know think this is the worse thing or even a 
thing at all. Someone mistook me for a man once. They asked me from 
behind ,“Sir, can I help you?” while I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond. It really 
wasn’t bad at all though. It was funny. The poor employee looked horrified when 
I turned around and they saw that I was a woman. I think they thought I was 
going to yell at them but of course I didn’t. I just let it go. It was an honest 
mistake. Even though I was wearing a dress. I had the same exact experience of 
someone thinking I was boy at 8-years -old while I was wearing a skirt in the 
grocery store. I blame my bowl haircut that was a product of a haircut done by 
my mom. I guess history repeats itself! HA!

I’ve had people stare at me. This one woman at a restaurant literally 
stopped her fork mid route to her pie-hole and stared with her mouth agape. I 
don’t take offense though. Seeing a women boldly walking around bald and proud 
is a rarity. Our society has conditioned women without hair or breasts, these 
things that we’ve been taught are essentials to being considered a woman or 
feminine, to feel like they should walk around ashamed if they are lacking those 
things. Hair does not equal beauty, nor does it equal femininity but it 
definitely plays into our gender roles. 


To be honest I haven’t had horrible things said to me being bald. I get 
really positive reactions and compliments from people pertaining to my baldness. 
People are drawn to my bald head. They are curious and I feel like being bald 
creates this welcoming space that allows people to feel like they can approach 
me.

When I first shaved it all off I had the experience of feeling like my 
bald head was a lightbulb. I felt radiant. Like my head was radiating energy or 
light. I was beaming. People would flock to me like a moth to a flame to talk to 
me about it. I felt vulnerable like there was nothing to hide behind anymore. 
Nothing to protect me from being profoundly intimate with others. This was 
freeing and I loved it!

I have a minimum of 5 people a day come up to me and tell me that they 
like my hair. I know they mean lack there of. I’ve had someone say “I love your 
head before” - haha!

Women will immediately confess to me, “I’ve always wanted to shave my 
head but I can’t because of, insert ‘reason, consideration and/or excuse here.’ 
”

Now I’m able to offer,  “Funny you should say that cause I’m 
throwing this event…” 


What words of encouragement would you share with someone going 
BALD? 


If you embrace being bald it will liberate you and you will feel 
reborn. Once women get that they are not their hair anything is possible. Then 
that leads to them getting that they are not their bodies, their thoughts or 
their feelings. 


They are whatever they declare they are. That they can have a strong 
sense of self that is not conditional or based on outside 
validation. 


Regardless of women, if the everyone in the world got that concept what 
a different world we’d be living in. A world of people getting that they are 
enough, that they are whole, complete and perfect just they way they are. Now 
that would be some kind of world. That’s the world that I’m committed to 
creating and transforming by creating the event “You Are Not Your 
Hair.”
2 Comments

Baldie of the Month - June

7/4/2014

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0 Comments

BALDIE of the Month May

7/4/2014

1 Comment

 
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We'd like to introduce to you this beautiful Bald Lady name Larisha Nelson. We just love how she truly embraces who she is regardless of her circumstances and because of that she is Baldie of the month of May. 

I have scarring alopecia that resulted in me permanently losing hair covering about 40% of my head.
It has made me come to the realization that the beauty I thought I had with hair had nothing to do with why I am beautiful at all. For the almost 6 months, I was depressed. I felt fake and every time I walked by a mirror I broke down. I had a constant fear of losing my wig and it coming off while I was teaching. 2 people saw that I was bald, one of my students and a colleague because my scarf had come up one day. The fear when my student saw, took me out of the classroom the rest of the day, but became a life lesson for them later. I know some women that can't deal with it the way that I have and I say to them, your hair cannot live your life, it cannot take care of your children, or go to work for you. It is, like many other things, an addition to the appearance as to which you wish to reveal yourself to the world. It is also, like many things, something that can be lost. If it was meant for you to live without hair, whether it is by choice or a life occurrence, it DOES NOT account for ANY of the reasons why you are who you are, you have what you have, or who you've come to love and who loves you for you! My loss has been a gain for so many! I will not let hair define me or my life. If I choose to wear it, it's because I CHOOSE not because I have to! I now have an advantage over so many who have it and don't no what to do with it!
1 Comment

BALDIE of the Month April

7/4/2014

0 Comments

 
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My name is Ashlynn Geringer and I’m a very outgoing, spunky, OCD three year old little girl. I love Minnie Mouse, Dora the Explorer, my blanket that I’ve named “see”, and Chap Stick. On August 30, 2013 I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (ALL)

Around August 26, 2013, it all started with a normal head cold. My mom and older sister Kailynn had the same cold. A few days later my mom noticed I had two sores on the inside of my cheeks that looked like I had bitten myself. My mom kept a close eye on those sores, making sure they would heal. Two days later my daddy came home from work when my mom told him I hadn’t moved off the couch all day and wasn’t eating. My daddy came over to look at me and used a flashlight to see the sores in my mouth and he noticed I had blood blisters all over my tongue. My mom took me to the Emergency Room where they ran blood tests, flu test, strep test, and chest x-rays on me. After a long wait (3 hours) the doctor finally came back into our room to tell my mother the devastating news. There was a possibility that I had leukemia and that they were calling for an ambulance to transport us to Scottish Rite children’s hospital. Once arriving to Scottish Rite they ran more blood tests and it was then confirmed that I had Leukemia. My mom broke down crying. This news was very devastating to her. The oncologist came in to talk to my mom, Nonnie, and papaw about my diagnosis. They sent me to the PICU floor as I was very weak and needed to be stabilized. It was all a very scary experience for me, my parents, Nonnie, and papaw. I was finally moved to the Aflac floor where I would begin my treatments. I had a port surgically placed, a spinal tap, and a bone marrow biopsy on September 3. I began my chemo treatments that day as well. And so my 3 year journey battling this disease began…
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