I was only 8 years old when my hair started to fall. My beautiful long brown hair was soon covering the bathroom floor. I refused to brush it or wash it in the hope that it would stay on my head.
It was only a month before most of it was gone, and I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata. A course of steroids had it growing back, but once the steroids stopped, I lost all my hair including eyebrows and eyelashes. I tried wearing a wig, but that didn’t last long. It made me hot and uncomfortable. It took a couple of years, but I eventually built resilience and wore nothing on my head. It was difficult at first, but once I explained to everyone at school what Alopecia was everybody accepted it, and accepted me.
I have found it difficult, being a teenage girl and not having long beautiful hair like my friends. At times I’ve been called a boy and had looks of sympathy wherever I go. I hate having Alopecia; however, I refuse to let it define who I am.
I started horse riding four and a half years ago, and absolutely love it! I adore my horse, and enjoy taking her to Pony Club and eventing competitions. I have learnt that having Alopecia does not stop you from doing anything, you can participate in sports, you can participate at school and you can still be a wonderful friend. It is not a sickness, and if I’m perfectly honest, it can sometimes make life easier! No hair washing, no hair styling and no nits.
I started taking Tofacitinib in October last year and my hair is slowly growing again. I’m excited that there is a medication without side effects that gives me my hair back. I am positive that in the future Alopecia will be controlled, however, for today I will continue to stay positive, stay strong and just be me.
2020 Progress Update
My name is Eva and I am lucky enough to receive a silver level sponsorship from AAAF, and this is my mid-sponsor updates!
In August 2019 my horse ‘Honey’ had a frightening accident in the horse float causing her to be uncomfortable and in pain. We nursed her back to health and were fortunate enough to be able to compete at Werribee Ride with Elegance Annual Horse Trials where we placed 5th overall which was great! Shortly after this event, we made the difficult decision to give her back to the original owners as she needed to slowly go into retirement. This would have had to be one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. Honey deserves the best for being such an amazing horse to me.
But onto the good news! On the 7th of December, I picked up my new best friend whose name is Penny. Penny makes me constantly smile and she gives me the biggest kisses and cuddles that just makes my day 10 times better. Penny absolutely loves her food and enjoys munching on some carrots. She is the best thing that has happened to me in a while. I am slowly getting used to riding her and getting to know her moods and triggers.
Penny and I will soon be competing in our first competition together which I am looking forward to. We will be competing at Seville Combined Training on February 16th in the grade 5 level just for a confidence booster. Hopefully, it goes well, and I will fill the sponsorship team in after the day is over! We will be proudly showing off our AAAF sponsorship badge sewed onto our saddle blanket and wear it with pride!
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Eva was sponsored in horseriding through the AAAF Sponsorship Program. The program is now closed and is not accepting applications, but can be read about here.
Love, Alopecia 
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