 For BFRB Week, I wanted to highlight some of my awesome Trichster Sisters. Here is Alyssa, who is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. One year ago on a trip to Pennsylvania, I got to meet Alyssa and her mom Brigitte in person! I recently had a video call with the two of them to learn more about Alyssa's story, and we would like to share to spread awareness.  Me, Brigitte & Alyssa Alyssa has had trichotillomania for a little over two years. She pulls from her eyelashes and leg hair, although she has not pulled her lashes in a while. She says she pulled her eyelashes "because my brain told me to and I wouldn't stop." It helps her to cope with frustration and feelings. A hard thing about having trich that she doesn't like is that she has to take medicine. When she was pulling her eyelashes she would cover up the spot that she pulled from with eyeliner or mascara because she didn't want to get in trouble. She said "I wish my eyelashes were invisible so my mom couldn't see them when I was picking." Alyssa told me that she has "issues" (in her words), but she is accepting of herself regardless, and that's part of what makes her special. When asked what else is special about her, Alyssa responded, "I'm funny, I make babies laugh, I'm a good friend, fashionable, kind, and smart." She enjoys coloring, playing with kids, playing games, going to school, and likes Legos, Peppa Pig, and Polly Pockets. She plays on a bowling league and she is a Girl Scout. Alyssa would say to other kids who have trich that "you're pretty no matter what."
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 For BFRB Week, October 1st-7th, I wanted to highlight some of my awesome Trichster Sisters. I have been interviewing some of the girls to share their unique perspective and raise trichotillomania awareness. Here is 12 year old Hailey. When I was on a trip to Pennsylvania one year ago, I actually had the pleasure of meeting Hailey and her mom in person!  Meeting in person! Gessie: How long have you had trichotillomania? What areas do you pull from? Hailey: I've had it for four years, I started in 2016. I originally started with my eyebrows but then I ripped out all my eyebrows and then it escalated to my head. I started wearing headbands and then it got to the point where I wanted to shave my head to look like Eleven [from Stranger Things]. I mainly pull at just my hair, but sometimes my eyebrows, and my eyelashes if I have mascara on.  Hailey dressed as the character Eleven from Stranger Things G: What are some hard things about having trich? H: The fact that a lot of times when I go to school and I have bald patches people ask me "what's that?" And I have to lie. When I do tell my friends about it no one really understands. I have to explain it and they don't understand. G: What are some good things about having trich? H: Something cool about it is the fact that some people do think my shaved head is cool and they find it badass. And meeting you; you are the only person I know who understands. G: What would you say to other kids who have trich? H: I would say to them that you aren't alone because I know that when I first found out that I had it I thought that I was alone and thought that I was weird. G: What do you wish people understood about trich? H: I wish people understood that it's not that easy to control because a lot of people say "why don't you just not do it?" and they don't understand that it's not that controllable. G: Do you do anything to raise awareness for trichotillomania? If not, do you hope to in the future? H: I don't but I'm going to soon. I'm thinking of making a video on tik tok. * Edit: after video chatting for the interview, Hailey has since posted some videos on her tik tok about trich and BFRB week! I am so proud of her for sharing her story and raising awareness! G: What are some things that you like about yourself? What makes you special? H: A lot of people say that I am always there to help people out and I think that that's something special about me because I feel like kindness is hard to find these days. I like my face, my eyes and my lips are my favorite features.  September 2020 For BFRB Week, October 1st-7th, I wanted to highlight some of my awesome Trichster Sisters. Here is Keira, who turns 7 later this month and is in 1st grade. She wants to help raise BFRB awareness, so I interviewed her (with some help from her mom)! Keira's mom Amanda says Keira has been twirling her hair since she was a baby, but around July/August 2015, she started pulling it out. She was two years old.  Christmas 2016, age 3 Keira pulls in the back of her head and sometimes up top. I asked Keira what are some hard things about having trich, she said, "Trying to stop and trying to never do it again. Sometimes when I'm sad and mad I do it but not anymore. Now I can draw, or watch television, or do reading." She said some good things about trich were receiving her bear and having me as a Trichster Sister.  Keira likes drawing and doing arts and crafts to help her trich  Trichster Sisters with matching bears! When asked what she would say to other kids who have trich, Keira replied, "I would say instead of pulling your hair you can draw or read or watch television." But she also wants them to know that it's okay if you do pull. She also said it's important to talk about it and not hold it inside. Keira says she wishes people understood "That I have trich. Trich is like pulling your hair out of you." To raise awareness for trichotillomania, she told her teacher about it when she started kindergarten last year.  Early 2020 Some things that Keira likes about herself: "I like that my eyelashes are long. I'm nice, I'm very friendly, and I love my stuffed animals. I sleep with 100! I'm a dancer. I do jazz, tap, and ballet." This is her fourth year dancing! Some fun facts about Keira, in her own words: "I play Sonic with my brother. I like to watch movies 100 times, like Beetlejuice!"  Keira's dance recital, summer 2020 I had so much fun doing this interview, thank you Keira and Amanda for helping raise trichotillomania awareness during BFRB Week!   For BFRB Awareness Week (October 1st-7th), I wanted to highlight some of my awesome Trichster Sisters. First up is my very first "original" Trichster Sister, Kara. She is 10 years old and in 5th grade. I first met Kara at the 2018 TLC conference in San Francisco. We instantly became friends and developed a close connection, that I started calling her my little "Trichster Sister." That's where the term originated. She is my inspiration! These are the pictures she wanted me to post. I interviewed her to share her perspective and here is what she said: Gessie: How long have you had trichotillomania? What areas do you pull from? Kara: About 5 years. Usually the sides of my head and sometimes the top. It hurts from the bottom. I don't eat my hair, but I eat the root. G: What are some hard things about having trich? K: I don't really like pulling and my hands get numb. G: What are some good things about having trich? K: Meeting you! And everyone else at the trich conferences and all the fun times.  2019 TLC Foundation conference G: What would you say to other kids who have trich? K: It's okay, I have it too. You're not different, you're special in your own way. G: What do you wish people understood about trich? K: I wish people understood how we feel when they say "Ew that's so gross" because that is SO disrespectful. And the way I dress, that I'm not a boy, duh! G: Do you do anything to raise awareness for trichotillomania? K: I made a poster and I like listing things down about me and my trich and tell them what not to say. G: What are some things that you like about yourself? What makes you special? K: I think that having so much energy is special and having trich is special about me because everyone isn't perfect, they're special in their own way. They have their differences and they have their "in common" stuff. I love singing. I like that I met you by having trich. My mom introduced you to me. I like that I'm nice, that I'm pretty, that I'm brave. G: Anything else you want to add? K: I like cats and Beanie Boos and Taylor Swift. I like acting crazy because I have AD HD. I'm so happy that I met you. |
AuthorGessie M. Perez Archives
July 2024
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