Trichster Sisters
Each year from 2015 to 2019, I attended the TLC Foundation's annual conference for BFRBs. It's always a joy witnessing the children there blossom throughout the weekend. It warms 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. In May 2019, upon returning home from my fifth TLC conference and connecting with many awesome kids, I felt a strong calling by God that I just couldn'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 have found my life's passion to be working with kids. In my everyday life, I have worked with children in different capacities; I volunteered as a catechist at my church teaching first grade religious education for six years, and for the last four years I have been working as a community habilitation specialist for kids with developmental 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. Thanks to the generosity of donors, I raised over a thousand dollars. Through this program I sent personalized care packages to girls with trich. These packages consisted of items like hair accessories, fidget toys, a special teddy bear, and more. Over the course of 2019, I sent out 40 Trichster Sister care packages to girls ages 2 to 14 from all across the United States, and a few to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. I even got to meet a few of the girls in person! My aim is 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 what they're going through. 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!
I have found my life's passion to be working with kids. In my everyday life, I have worked with children in different capacities; I volunteered as a catechist at my church teaching first grade religious education for six years, and for the last four years I have been working as a community habilitation specialist for kids with developmental 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. Thanks to the generosity of donors, I raised over a thousand dollars. Through this program I sent personalized care packages to girls with trich. These packages consisted of items like hair accessories, fidget toys, a special teddy bear, and more. Over the course of 2019, I sent out 40 Trichster Sister care packages to girls ages 2 to 14 from all across the United States, and a few to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. I even got to meet a few of the girls in person! My aim is 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 what they're going through. 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!
Trichster Sisters
Pen Pal Program
While I don't have the means to fund sending out any more packages, I am still very happy to be a pen pal to young girls in need. If you have a daughter with trichotillomania who would like to receive a letter from a big sister who understands, please fill out the form below. This is open internationally to girls from any country!
Inspiration behind Trichster SistersMy original Trichster Sister is 13 year old Kara. I met Kara in 2018 in San Francisco when she attended her first TLC conference. We instantly formed a unique bond. She is like a little sister to me and I started calling her my "Trichster Sister." We video chat often, 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 at her home on the West Coast a few times. She is my hero and inspiration! Learn more about Kara by clicking the photo of us!
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