Initially, wearing wigs was a way to reclaim a sense of normalcy and to shield herself from the stares and the awkward questions. In public, she could pass as someone without alopecia, blending into the crowd and avoiding the discomfort of being perceived differently. But at home or with close friends and family, Harri could take off the wig and just be herself, unfiltered and authentic.

All of Harri’s hair has gone which is difficult to deal with but she also looks at things with humour and positivity. “I have got no hair on my body at all. I've had my eyebrows tattooed on now. Probably the biggest thing I miss is my eyelashes because they do come in handy when it's windy to stop things going in your eyes. I think over the 14 years, it's been a bit of a roller coaster, but I am learning to deal with it. I am a positive person. I can get ready in 20 minutes. I don't have to do my hair. I put on a bit of make up and stick a different wig on. I don’t have to shave my legs or armpits. I'm good to go.”

The journey through alopecia has not only been about managing physical appearance but also about managing mental health. Therapy, support groups, and personal resilience have played huge roles in coming to terms with her alopecia. The effort to appear 'normal' is taxing, both mentally and physically. Each day, Harri makes choices about how to present herself, from whether to wear a wig, which one to choose, and how to respond to people's curiosity or judgment, which can play heavily on self-esteem, confidence and mental health.

“My form of hiding my condition is to make sure I put a wig on, make sure I look presentable. I do hide it by covering up, wearing make-up, a wig, a scarf or a hat. I think my personality probably covers it up as well. If anybody ever asks me if I have a wig I will say yes, I don't want to be a fraud, I own it. If they compliment me or say my hair looks nice. I will say thank you very much and tell them it is a wig.”

One of the most empowering aspects of living with alopecia for her has been the opportunity to educate others, especially children. Spending time working in a school helped her to communicate differences to children. Wanting children to see that being different is not something to fear or hide, she was always open about her condition. “If a child asks if I've got a wig on I would reassure them that I wasn’t ill. I would show them the wig and tell them I was special and talk about my alopecia. I will tell them the truth. I hope to foster a more inclusive and understanding environment. When a child with alopecia sees me embracing my baldness, it permits them to feel normal and accepted in their own skin.”

Looking forward today she has accepted that the likelihood of her hair growing back is slim. Currently undergoing injections for arthritis, the treatments may prevent hair regrowth, but choosing her health over vanity was a decision she made for her future, knowing that being able to exercise for her health both mentally and physically is a huge part of her life also. This choice represents more than just dealing with alopecia, it's about choosing how she wants to live her life, with or without hair.

Daily life is still a struggle at times and the apprehension of being judged plays into her condition and her confidence “I do get very frustrated that people will judge because they will. They see you with no hair and straightaway they'll make that judgement. That possibly is in my head and I guess we all think about people think about us.” 

Even when in familiar situations such as her regular circuit class where she is known, something holds her back from leaving her headscarf off whilst exercising. “They all know, they can clearly see that I've got alopecia got no hair. We talk and they're all friendly, but there is something in me that stops me from taking that scarf off and showing my head. Why can't I do it? I get frustrated about how people are going to see me. We they see me differently or see my abilities differently?”

 It is a path that is not easy to walk, 1 in a 1000 people have alopecia areata and it effects each differently, but one of the common threads is self esteem and mental health. In a world were more were visible it would help people like Harri to feel more confident in todays society. “I do think it is important that people can see others with no hair because the more people out there that can walk around with no wig on it would make it familiar for everybody. It'd be lovely to get more and more people confident to just go out like this, having nobody batted an eyelid?”

Reflecting on her journey so far, she is still confronting her confidence in today's world and realising that alopecia has offered a unique platform to discuss and challenge societal norms about beauty and normalcy. “It has forced me to confront my insecurities and is helping me empower others to do the same hopefully. Whether through personal interactions or social media, each conversation is a step toward broader acceptance.”

“For anyone walking a similar path, my advice is to take it one day at a time and make choices that feel right for you. Build a support network, seek help when needed, and most importantly, allow yourself to feel whatever comes—frustration, sadness, or empowerment.”

Our differences do not define our worth; rather, they highlight the unique stories we each have to tell. In today's world, where appearance often dictates first impressions, it's vital to remember that every individual is more than what you see on the surface. Embrace your differences; they make you who you are.