Alopecia an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles resulting in hair loss. I was eight-years-old when I was diagnosed with alopecia. From a young age, I struggled with my appearance, self-consciousness, and depression.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack your hair follicles triggering the hairs to fall out. Cheltenham Ave discusses what it’s like learning self-love and how to live well with the stress of a changing appearance.

I didn't know how to supply self-love and care for myself. Instead, I thought, who would find me attractive with alopecia?  Who would make me happier?

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack your hair follicles triggering the hairs to fall out. Cheltenham Ave discusses what it’s like learning self-love and how to live well with the stress of a changing appearance.

How do I continue mundane daily tasks while injustice and pain are boiling over into riots and protests? I can't ignore my own anger and grief. But how do I wage war against such widespread and deeply ingrained systems of injustice? I may not be able to control what's happening out in the world but I can control my thoughts and perspective. I can contribute by using my voice to promote a more inclusive and empathetic environment. Black lives matter.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack your hair follicles triggering the hairs to fall out. Cheltenham Ave discusses what it’s like learning self-love and how to live well with the stress of a changing appearance.

In life and alopecia, there are lessons and blessings. Unfortunately, some lessons are harder to swallow. Prom was one of those lessons for me. I'm still learning to let go of the anger and guilt I feel because I wasn't accepting of my appearance. But through the lesson, I…

I was sitting at the family computer writing a history paper on a school night, and in typical stress mode, I ran my hand through my hair. That’s normal, everyone does it. What wasn’t normal was suddenly feeling a spot that was...smooth. Smooth as a baby’s bottom you might say. I immediately ran downstairs freaking out, and collapsed in my mother’s lap in a puddle of tears…

I had been silent about my alopecia for so long, since it came and went erratically, that when I finally took the plunge and shaved my head for the world to see, I suddenly had to get very good at answering the question “What’s wrong with you?” diplomatically.