Accept Me As I Am
Being bald is no laughing matter, especially for women, for whom society closely associates a woman's outer appearance with her beauty, health, success and status. And one woman is bringing awareness to how self acceptance is directly related to one’s quality of life and how not doing so can be debilitating.
Annette Moore aka “Crowned Regal” is a 47 year old professional woman who was diagnosed with scarring alopecia in 2007. “Hair is considered the crowning glory, especially for women and losing it can be devastating.”
Annette learned from a dermatologist she had alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.
In Annette’s case she was diagnosed with two forms of alopecia, scarring alopecia (CCCA) and alopecia totalis. For Annette, the loss was permanent and that sent her over an emotional edge. “I simply could not accept what I looked like without hair on my head. Emotionally, it affected me, my family, my work, etc. This mindset was debilitating and I realized how I view myself directly affected how others interacted with me. “
So, as a website programmer and computer specialist, she decided to reach out across familiar territory - the internet to bring attention to this little-discussed health and social issue, which not only has obvious physical change but also brings with it the potential for psychological pain.
Annette’s website, “Crowned Regal” gets hundreds of visits a day. And her YouTube videos have received over 84,000 viewers since its launch. Because of the overwhelming responses she received, it inspired her to start the social network “Accept Me As I Am”. Annette says sharing her story has helped her heal.
www.acceptmeasiam.com
Now a bigger circle of self empowerment has been formed at the new and unique social network called “Accept Me As I Am”. “Accept Me As I Am” is an online community of people who share their journeys of self acceptance to inspire others. Membership consists of a diverse group of members, medical professionals, self help gurus, writers, support groups contributing to promote self acceptance and personal growth through blogging, videos, photos and discussions.
As a result she began to connect with people like herself who were struggling with self acceptance issues and low self esteem because of all kinds of life balance and physical issues. “Many of the people I met online were willing to share their stories of self acceptance that had nothing to do with hair loss. It began to help me heal. They in turn said that because I shared my story of self acceptance, it made them heal. “I realized that a circle of self acceptance and empowerment had been created.” Annette knew the value in making these types of relationships and began reaching out to more people, groups, medical professionals, authors, therapists, health gurus and self-help experts.
Annette says, “There is strength in numbers. Membership is increasing and each time a member shares their story, it creates an even stronger circle of self empowerment through self acceptance.”
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
