Sister alopecia

I don't know many people with alopecia. In fact, as I think about it, I know only one. I don't think I had consciously noted that before. Anyway, this one particular person is very special and takes the place of many.

Actually, we very rarely talk about our condition. We have many, many other subjects that we love to delve into, not least our love for people and human nature. However, on those rare occasions alopecia does become a topic, we share our tips on how to get wig reimbursements and where to buy the best and latest fashions. We even laugh about moments when we get caught out and have “wig moments”. We are, probably, always first in line to compliment each other on our latest models and daring switch of styles: moving from short to long is always a bold move, as is radical colour change. Others often struggle with how to mention this as they are afraid of recognizing the condition publicly.

Now, who is she, my sister alopecia? She was the first person at work ever to confront me with my condition. I still remember that moment. She was bold and I froze. I was still in the early days and coming to terms with my hair loss and she was not letting me hide. She knew what I needed and gave it to me in spades. Direct yet kind. Upfront and personal.

From that moment on, and now many years later, she still unleashes a freedom in me, by acknowledging the struggle as a female in business. She shows me that it doesn't matter that I have no hair, yet she shows me how to make it matter.

She demonstrates that hairloss releases inner beauty, she shows me that elegance and sophistication in the corporate world shine through. She inspires through her presence and even more so by her kindness. She is the ultimate role model and my icon of elegance.

Together, we have an alopecian fantasy: One day we imagine ourselves on stage, presenting to a global senior leadership team, one of the most important you can imagine. We will give some kind of presentation, most likely on the importance of inclusion in the workforce, the fact that getting the right people in the door is not enough, the fact that inclusion is one of the most critical drivers of success we are faced with and the one that we pay least attention to. At the end of this thought provoking and clearly intelligently delivered masterpiece, we will just whip off our wigs and parade beautifully on the stage, most likely laughing and most definitely looking gorgeous.

The audience will be temporarily stunned but seconds later, the crowd will roar, they will stand and cheer.

There will be a wonderful and long-awaited celebration for women doing business beautifully. A celebration for woman around the world who, whatever their hidden inconveniences, are successful. This event will go down in corporate history books. It will be known as the moment humanity walked back in.

Will we do it? I don't think so. Do we have the guts to do it? Absolutely.

So as I close this post, know that I have crazy fantasies that may one day hit the headlines, but also know that these fantasies lighten the load. They allow humor to take the place of anxiety and have a place in the journey. Dear icon of elegance, thank you for leading the way, beating the path and being there every step of the way, always. Your loyal and learned student thanks you.