I’m not sick, I have alopecia!!!

Having had alopecia for 12  years, I should be quite accustomed to people entering my personal space with comments about my lack of hair.  After a very long work day, I decided to go to Home Depot for some spring flowers. Honestly, I feel so normal in my beaubeau scarves that I often forget that I’m wearing one UNTIL I either get the oogling stare or when someone decides to  ask inquiring questions about my “condition”.  While looking for my credit card,  the clerk asked me if he could “lay his hands on me”.  I was quite taken back and was  unsure of what he meant until he asked if I was “fighting the fight” - then I knew I was once again being mistaken for someone who is undergoing chemotherapy. Well, the only battle I’m fighting is to try and educate people about alopecia and hair loss. What does it take for the public to be made aware that chemotherapy is NOT the only cause for hair loss? Susan M. Beausang President

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