Barrier Breaker of the Month

At just 16 years old, Nataly is already a powerful example of confidence, resilience, and self-expression. A lover of theatre, choir, and spending time with friends, she brings creativity and joy into everything she does. But one of the most meaningful parts of her story is how she has learned to embrace alopecia and proudly celebrate who she is.

Nataly was diagnosed with alopecia in August of 2019 when she was only nine years old. At the time, the diagnosis brought a wave of uncertainty and fear. Her mom explained the different types of alopecia and the possibility that she might eventually lose all of her hair. It was a difficult moment for both of them, and they remember crying together as they faced the unknown.

The early part of Nataly's journey felt like an emotional roller coaster. Losing her hair brought new experiences and challenges including moments of self-doubt and bullying that she didn't fully realize at the time. One of the hardest parts, Nataly says, was learning to love the new version of herself. Looking in the mirror, she searched for confidence that sometimes felt out of reach.

But with time things began to shift. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Nataly lost the rest of her hair. While this could have been another painful moment, it also became a turning point. As the world slowly returned to in-person life, Nataly started embracing her bald head with growing confidence.

Today, she proudly lives without wigs, only wearing them occasionally as a fun accessory. In fact, she says her bald head has become her favorite thing about herself.

A major part of that transformation came from finding community. Early in her journey, Nataly's mom discovered the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP), an organization that supports young people living with alopecia. At first, Nataly attended with the hope of finding ways to "fix" alopecia. Instead, she discovered something far more meaningful: acceptance.

Through CAP and events like the Baldtourage Summer Soiree, Nataly met other girls and women who proudly embraced their baldness. Seeing their confidence helped her realize that she didn't need to be fixed and was already beautiful exactly as she was.

Another important part of her journey has been building a strong support system. Nataly credits her friends, her best friend, her mom, and her boyfriend for standing by her side. Having people who can navigate the stares and curiosity that sometimes come with being seen as "different" has made all the difference.

Nataly also hopes people understand that alopecia is about far more than hair. "There are so many layers to alopecia that people don't see." From identity struggles to navigating social interactions and living with an autoimmune condition, the experience can be deeply emotional and complex. But through it all, Nataly reminds herself that she is strong, beautiful, and proud of who she is.

Creativity has also played a huge role in her self-expression. As someone passionate about acting, Nataly loves exploring emotions through different characters. Acting allows her to connect with herself while stepping into other perspectives.

She also loves makeup, especially clown makeup, which she sees as a form of artistic freedom. To Nataly, makeup becomes another way to celebrate individuality. If her body has made her into a unique and beautiful piece of art, she embraces the opportunity to add to that art with color, creativity, and expression.

When asked what alopecia has ultimately given her, Nataly describes it in one word: "freeing." Becoming bald has changed the way she sees the world and the way she sees others. It has helped her appreciate the beauty in everyone's uniqueness and celebrate the courage it takes to embrace what makes us different.