Teen With Alopecia Asked Her Mom To Paint Her Bald Head For Senior Photoshoot

Jul 06, 2018 by apost team

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, typically in scattered patches. Madisyn Babcock was diagnosed with this disease her senior year and instead of trying to hide her baldness, she embraced it on her senior picture day. Madisyn not only stood tall and proud, but she also had her mother paint a stunning display of flowers on her head.

She didn't want to shy away from people's attention. Rather, she wanted her head to be the center of attention so she could make an empowering statement.

In an interview with Huffington Post UK, Madisyn shared that the reason behind painting her head "wasn’t about filling some kind of void or signifying that there’s something missing from those with hair loss." Instead, it was to "embrace and embellish it."

Admittedly, Madisyn didn't have the confidence she has now when she was first diagnosed. Since hair, especially for women, is often highly prized and a big part of one's identity, it can be alarming learning to live without it. Painting her head was a big way for Madisyn to embrace her new look.

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Madisyn believes that there is no correct attitude to have about losing your hair, and that some days are better than others. People feel like they need to be beacons of positivity, but that's just not human. The goal, though, is to eventually learn to accept and love yourself no matter what changes you go through in life.

Of all things that Madisyn could have painted on her head, she chose flowers for a very specific reason. “I feel I’ve really blossomed into the person I’m supposed to be," she explained. Flowers are also often associated with new beginnings.

Did this story melt your heart? We can all take a note from Madisyn's book and learn to be kinder to ourselves no matter what insecurities we may have. Be sure to spread the love in this girl's story with all of your friends.