Trichster Sisters Program
Each year, I attend the TLC Foundation's annual conference for BFRBs. It's always a joy witnessing the young girls there blossom throughout the weekend. It melts my heart seeing them run around the hotel with each other, laughing and playing and just being kids. Sadly, trichotillomania often strips kids of their childhood - But connecting with other trichsters and knowing that you're not alone makes a world of a difference and helps shed some of the shame that comes along with having trich and hair loss as a young girl. On May 2019 upon returning home from my fifth TLC conference and connecting with many new remarkable little girls, I felt a strong calling by God that I just can't ignore telling me that I need to do more, especially for girls who may not have the opportunity to attend the annual conference. I absolutely adore children, and have found my life's passion to be working with kids. In my everyday life, I work and volunteer with children in many capacities, between teaching at my church and being a caregiver to a girl with disabilities. That's why I decided to combine my love for helping kids and my dedication to being an advocate for the trichotillomania community, to create a mentorship program for young girls, so that they won't have to feel alone.
And that's how the Trichster Sister Program came to be. Through this program I send personalized care packages to girls ages 14 and under with trich. These packages consist of things like hair accessories, fidget toys, a special teddy bear, and more. Through this program I aim to foster confidence and self-love in girls, and provide them support and friendship from a big sister who has been on the same journey and understands. I hope to be the kind of person I needed when I was younger. I want kids to grow up knowing that they can still lead fulfilling lives even with trichotillomania - I am proof of that!
Update October 2020
Thanks to the generosity of donors, I raised over a thousand dollars. Over the course of 2019, I sent out around 40 personalized Trichster Sister care packages to girls ages 2 to 14 from several different states. I even got to meet a few of the girls in person! Thank you again for the generous donations that helped fund this program.
Inspiration behind "Trichster Sisters"My original "Trichster Sister" is 10 year old Kara. I met Kara in 2018 in San Francisco when she attended her first TLC conference. We instantly formed a special connection. She is like a little sister to me and I started calling her my "Trichster Sister." We video chat about once a week, I frequently send her cards and "Kare-a packages" in the mail, and I have even flown all the way across the country from the East Coast to visit her (twice!) at her home on the West Coast. She is my hero and inspiration! Learn more about Kara by clicking the photo of us! |
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