Call Kat for meeting info
Kat Barry, 512-507-1293
STUNT RANCH DIRECTIONS, near the "Y" at Oak Hill
If you don't need support, come lend some...
Sign up for the meeting here
Alopecia is a condition where a person loses some or all of their hair. I developed this condition when I was 22. It took a few years to get used to, but now I wouldn't go back to having hair.
It can be extremely helpful for a child who develops alopecia to have a support network and know that there are many other kids going through the same thing.
CTAS is a resource for children and parents, and the Austin chapter meets at Stunt Ranch once a month.
I'm also available to talke to anyone on demand.
Steve Wolf,
512-653-9653
READ ON FOR MY OWN TAKE ON THIS...
I am a professional stunt and special effects coordinator, and I tour the country teaching science to kids in an assembly called Science in the Movies, that reveals the science used in making movie stunts and special effects. I have worked on dozens of movies and tv shows. I am extremely experienced in public presentation, public relations development and implementation, and video and film creation. I've also had alopecia universalis for 24 years. I have to say, all in all, it's been a blessing. It never once held me back from anything I wanted to do. Quite the opposite. I learned how to take the attention that my baldness drew, and focus that attention toward the development of friendships and the furtherance of my business goals.
Everytime someone looked at me because I had no hair, I smiled at them. And then they'd smile at me, and pretty soon we'd be talking and making friends, and consequently I now have more friends than anyone I know. As you may know, this is a common theme for many people with alopecia.
Given that alopecia is not life threatening, and that the number of people affected is not very large, the likelyhood of a medical "cure," while possible, still lies far ahead of us. Accepting that reality forces the concept of "cure" away from a medical route, and redirects the cure to a social cure. This social cure can take two directions. One is to increase awareness of the condition - but that puts the cure outside the reach of the individual, depending on society to accept them. The better approach, because it is proactive, and because it puts all the control in the hands of the patient and their families, is to develop a strong and positive self image that is not dependant on appearance or external approval. And this is best done through the accomplishment of deeds for which the individual feels good.
Alopecians are best served by serving others. As Victor Frankel expressed in his book, "Man's Search for Meaning," true satisfaction comes from being of service, and service is possible from people in any condition. I also recommend the dis-use of terminology that names Alopecia as a disease. Dis-Ease implies a lack of ease. Lack of ease with one's condition is a choice, not a medical mandate. One can learn and choose to be at ease with oneself and with others regardless of one's physical appearance. These are some of the approaches that I recommend with regard to the internal and social development of youngsters with Alopecia. A patient might not be able to cure their physical condition, but they can certainly cure their Dis Ease.
If you'd like to discuss your experiences and strategic thoughts around how we can help children with Alopecia become more at ease with their condition, I'd love to pursue discussions and actions with you. Congratulations on the work you're doing, and I hope I can be of service to you.
|
|
