I was 19 years old in the late 90’s when I was brushing my hair in my bathroom one morning before going to my new part-time job as a receptionist. I was so excited about my first day because it meant new challenges and meeting new people. I was hair spraying my bangs and noticed I was seeing my scalp a bit more than usual. I remember I got closer to the mirror as I placed a few strands in a position where it wouldn’t be so noticeable. It was thinner but not to the point to cause me major concern. I casually spoke with my mother later that week about it and she recommended I take multivitamins and increase my iron intake. As the weeks progressed more strands came out especially when I washed my hair that it got to the point where I was literally counting the strands that were coming out. My mother told me that it was probably due to stress because I was working at a new job and balancing it with college classes, but I found myself dreading my next hair wash. My hair was once curly, bouncy, and full of life but as the months went by, it was visibly thinner in the frontal crown area. I went to my hairstylist and cut a few inches off to see if it would help but it didn’t. I could no longer display my precious bangs and I could no longer part my hair in the middle, so I had to part my hair on the side. My mother tried a few home remedies on my scalp with aloe vera, eggs, mayonnaise (you name it) but nothing helped. When I finally had the courage to see a specialist, he did some blood work with additional tests and said that I had genetic baldness. I was puzzled because my mother and father both have a full head of hair. My doctor then asked about other family members and I told him that my grandfather and some of my uncles and cousins on my mother’s side are partially bald. He then said that it appeared to have skipped my mother, but it got me. I remember hearing those words and I was devastated but confused. I never thought women went through this unless they were going through an illness or cancer. I remember I went to my local library and did some research to educate myself on why this was happening to me. I started wearing headbands, beanie’s and scarfs to work and school. Some people would ask me if something was wrong or if I was sick but I would cheerfully say that I was just not having a good hair day or I was too lazy to do my hair. The years went by and although it affected my self-esteem at times I was always hopeful that one day my hair would grow back. Because I had and still have such a supportive mother, her words of encouragement got me through my darkest times. I wore toppers and finally had the courage to try wigs. I thank God that now there is so much information and support through hair loss support groups, YouTube videos, and Facebook. I live each day knowing and feeling that life has so much good to offer. Sometimes you can’t change the inevitable and have no control of what’s happening to you, but you can try to make the best of what you’ve got. I’m happy to have found Lori’s videos and website as well as other helpful tips on YouTube. Stay strong and positive, always!