In a sport that is heavily focused on looks, appearances, perfection, glitz and glam, it can be hard having to factor in alopecia.

Having had alopecia since I was 11, it has left me, at times, feeling self-conscious. I have spent much time trying to cover up my patches and trying to avoid letting people see them.

I have spent such a long time on a competition morning trying to make sure my patches aren’t on show. To then receive back my professional photos and see the patches were still visible is heartbreaking. It felt like a setback that had an effect on my confidence and self-esteem.

As my hair loss had significantly increased and the bald patches were not as easy to hide, I decided for my latest competition that I would just shave what remaining hair I had left. This is the 3rd time I have shaved my hair and for me I find I feel less self-conscious with my hair shaved and my patches on show than if I tried hiding them. I know longer have the worry that my bald patches will be revealed to anyone, as I am the one controlling whether they are seen.

This time receiving my professional photos back, I wasn’t heartbroken and felt pride in the way I looked.

So I’m learning to embrace being unique and actually showing off my patches within in a sport that is so heavily focussed on glitz, glam and perfection!

Accepting my baldness and alopecia will lead to a whole new level of glitz and glam by shining out and just being bald, beautiful and me!