GOT ALOPECIA?
(You are NOT alone!)
Our mission is to SUPPORT, EDUCATE and SHARE with each other as individuals faced with the condition of alopecia areata. Our support group members have either been personally affected by this disease or are supporting a family member with alopecia areata. We listen and share our struggles, ideas and lessons learned - and strive to "be present" to each other in this commonality we share.
About Alopecia Areata:
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. There are three types of alopecia areata - alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. Alopecia areata, the most common variation of the autoimmune disease, presents itself as round, smooth patches of various sizes. In all forms of alopecia areata, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years. Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races; however, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating. Although not life-threatening, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease. But there is hope. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years. Please visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation website at www.naaf.org for all sorts of information, support forums and programs for adults, children and families affected by alopecia areata.
Meeting Format:
- Reading of Meeting Guidelines
- Sharing time: who we are, your diagnosis, what brought you to the meeting today, and anything else you want to share
- Presentation Topics will be offered at some meetings throughout the year and will be offered based on the needs of the group
- Opportunity to break into small group discussions (i.e., by "teen" or gender)
- Videos, literature and NAAF resources available
Meeting Guidelines:
- What is shared here stays here
- Respect for privacy
- We are not doctors, not medically trained
- We respect each other and our situations
- We will work to stay on topic
- Our focal point is alopecia, how we feel about it and how we survive it
- We will try to be good listeners and not have to "fix it"
- It is OK not to know all the answers
More Information:
If you are interested in attending one of our meetings or would like more information, please email gotalopecia@yahoo.com. "Walk-ins" are always welcome to our meetings but we would like to plan accordingly for snacks and room accommodations.
Group photo from our meeting held September 18, 2011
