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Bald woman wants to help others cope with condition
OGDEN -- When Shannon Cox, 34, goes out in public, many people think she has cancer because the Riverdale resident is bald. Once, she was out to eat with her husband, and someone even paid for her dinner at an Olive Garden.
"I thought, oh, how nice, and I asked who it was and they didn't want to say," Cox said. "I'm sure they thought it was my last meal out with my husband. I wanted to say 'Thanks, but I'm not dying.' "
Cox doesn't have cancer. Her baldness was caused by alopecia areata, a condition that causes all of her hair to fall out. The condition occurs in about two percent of the population, but it is difficult for those who have the condition to find one another because many wear wigs or scarves to cover their heads. Bald Girls Do Lunch, an organization for women with alopecia, is one way Cox has found other women who have the same condition as she does.
Alopecia areata is a disease where the person's immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Hair generally falls out in clumps, but it can grow back. It doesn't affect the person's health, but the emotional and social aspects can be difficult on some people.
Cox said having the condition used to be very difficult for her.
"It was just emotional," she said. "I guess my definition of beauty was my biggest struggle with it. Bald women are not an acceptable thing in our society. That was my biggest struggle, but I've come a long way in accepting herself."
One of the things that helped her get to a place where she can accept herself was getting involved with Bald Girls Do Lunch. The organization travels to different cities, providing the opportunity for women with alopecia to meet with one another. Bald Girls Do Lunch is coming to Ogden, and the dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Union Grill, 2501 Wall Ave.
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I second Pat's "thanks." After dealing with alopecia universalis since the early 1980s, I applaud Shannon's courage to enjoy dinner out "au naturalle." I attended a Bald Girls Do Lunch event in Pennsylvania a few months back and found the experience of being publicly bald with others who have alopecia a liberating experience. Great work!
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