For those of you who attend CANAAF’s Ottawa support group, you’ll have met Charlotte, CANAAF’s Ottawa Support Leader. Charlotte has been a support leader with CANAAF since early 2020, and has since created a welcoming space for the Ottawa alopecia community to meet, and share experiences and information. Below you’ll see Charlotte’s alopecia story and the advice she shares with anyone newly diagnosed.
Thank you Charlotte for helping to make Canadians with alopecia feel connected, safe, and supported throughout their journeys with alopecia!
Hi! My name is Charlotte. I live in a small town outside of Ottawa. I work as a registered nurse in the emergency room.
When I was 4 years old I was diagnosed with alopecia areata after we found a dime size patch on the top of my head. It eventually developed into universalis slowly by the age of 12.
Growing up with alopecia was truly a unique experience. I originally had closed it off and wore a wig. Eventually I grew comfortable with who I was & began researching for alopecia groups in my area. I stumbled upon CANAAF and met a wonderful group of people.
It is really important to me to help others to find confidence because most of us have been there. I (and other’s I have spoke to) have been through the patches, the losses of eye lashes and eye brows, the doctor’s appointments, and the looks or comments. We know the tricks to hiding it early and late, we know resources, we know the questions to ask doctors, and how to respond to ways we can be approached about our hair loss. We are not alone and
I know we are stronger in numbers. When a group of us are together, that alone boosts your confidence.
If I were to give someone one piece of advice to just being diagnosed with alopecia, would be to come to a meeting. No matter how severe your hair loss is, I really advocate for our meetings as you can see the differences in hair loss and how to start your journey early. It is easy to see the multiple online groups with people around the world and they can be quite overwhelming and discouraging. Find support in groups close to home and meet real people face to face, it really puts things in perspective. As I said before, we have been in your shoes and faced the struggles; we are stronger and supported better in numbers.
