Barrier Breaker of the Month
Barrier Breaker of the Month is our way of celebrating the courage it takes to show up authentically in a world that doesn't always understand visible or invisible differences.
Each month, we spotlight an individual living with an autoimmune condition and share their story across our website and social platforms. Our goal is to amplify real voices, celebrate uniqueness, and remind others that they are never alone in their journey.
Every story shared is a reminder that beauty is not limited by difference. It is strengthened by it.
Meet Sage Burger
Our June Barrier Breaker: A 10-year-old from South Africa proving that strength is not measured by what you lose but by how boldly you continue to show up
"Hair Does Not Define Me"
At just 10 years old, Sage Burger is already proving that strength is not measured by what you lose but by how boldly you continue to show up, dream big, and love yourself through it all. Living in South Africa, Sage is navigating life with both Hashimoto's disease and alopecia areata. Two autoimmune conditions that have changed her life in unexpected ways. Through every challenge she continues to dance, dream, and remind others that beauty is so much deeper than hair.
Sage was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and alopecia areata in 2024 after experiencing hair loss. At first, doctors believed her thyroid condition was the reason for her hair falling out but her mother knew there had to be more to the story.
"First the doctors said I was losing hair because my thyroid failed but my mother was not happy with the diagnosis. Then we started going to different doctors until we found a very good dermatologist and she diagnosed my alopecia areata."
The Journey to Acceptance
In the beginning, Sage's hair loss appeared in patches that she could hide with the rest of her hair and different hairstyles. Her family tried countless treatments, injections, and creams, and for a while they even saw promising regrowth, but that's the thing with autoimmune conditions, uncertainty is often one of the hardest parts. Earlier this year her hair loss became much more severe. What was once manageable suddenly became impossible to hide. Sage began wearing wigs to school and in public while searching for places where she could still feel free and fully herself.
"The only place where I didn't feel like I had to hide my patches was at home and dance because there I felt so free and accepted."
On February 13, 2026, Sage made the brave decision to shave her head.
"I felt scared and emotional but I couldn't deal with the constant hair on my clothes, in my food, and in the car. Nobody prepares you for that."
Although shaving her head was emotional it also marked the beginning of a new chapter in her journey. One built on acceptance, strength, and confidence. Then she met a new challenge. In May 2026, Sage experienced another flare-up and began losing her eyelashes and eyebrows. She described how difficult it has been adjusting to those changes, especially the everyday realities most people never think about.
"This journey has been up and down but at the end of the day it is making me so much stronger, wiser, and I learned to love a whole new me. I think an autoimmune condition shows you how strong you really are."
Finding Strength in Community
One of the biggest sources of confidence and encouragement in Sage's life has been seeing other women openly embrace their alopecia journeys online. She credits Emmy, Alex, and Chloe as some of her biggest inspirations. Dance has also played a huge role in helping Sage feel empowered and supported. Her dance community rallied around her in beautiful ways, including her team manager shaving her head.
Sage hopes more people begin to understand that autoimmune diseases affect much more than appearance.
"I really wish people could understand the tiredness, headaches, and nausea that comes along with an autoimmune disease. I also wish people wouldn't assume I am a boy because I don't have hair. Like can you not see my beautiful earrings and my fabulous outfit? Hello, I am a beautiful bald girl."
The Brave Crown Foundation
Even on the hardest days, Sage stays motivated by her dreams and by the desire to inspire others living with autoimmune conditions. Together with her family, Sage started The Brave Crown Foundation, an organization focused on raising awareness in South Africa and supporting children and adults living with alopecia. Through radio interviews, magazine features, and advocacy work, Sage is already helping others realize that hair does not define who they are.
When she is not advocating for awareness Sage enjoys dancing, shopping, traveling, spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, and loving on her cats and dogs.
Message to Others
"It's not the end of the world, even though it feels like it is in that specific moment. Everything is going to be okay. You are perfect just the way you are. God loves you and he made you perfect."
"Hair does not define me. I am a beautiful bald girl."
Inspired by Sage's story? Know someone who should be our next Barrier Breaker?
Meet Micah Joy
Our May Barrier Breaker: A 23-year-old who refused to accept "no remaining options" and became the second person in the world to receive a groundbreaking Lupus treatment
Her Story
In 2020 she woke up feeling sick, and that feeling never went away. Micah Joy is 23 and currently in teachers college, but her journey over the past six years has been anything but typical. What followed that feeling were years of uncertainty, worsening symptoms, and treatments that didn't work. She began her studies at Western University in 2021 on a basketball scholarship, determined to keep pushing through despite everything.
As her health declined, she eventually reached a point where she could no longer walk independently and had to step away from the sport she loved, an experience that deeply impacted her sense of identity. After four years without answers and being misdiagnosed with severe JIA, Micah was finally diagnosed with severe treatment-resistant Lupus in 2024.
"It was a weird mix of relief and grief. I was so grateful to finally know what was going on but it was also really hard to hear."
Refusing to Accept the End
Despite the challenges, Micah continued to show up for herself. She graduated in 2025 with an Honours Specialization in Chemistry with Distinction and completed research she is incredibly proud of, something that gave her a sense of purpose during one of the hardest periods of her life.
After being told she had no remaining treatment options in Canada, Micah refused to accept that as the end of her story. She began researching on her own and connecting with researchers around the world, which ultimately led her to a groundbreaking BAFF CAR-T cell therapy clinical trial in the United States.
In February 2026, her stem cells were collected and genetically modified. On March 9th, just one day after her birthday, she received her stem cell transplant, a day she now calls her "rebirth day." Micah is the first Canadian and only the second person in the world to receive this treatment for Lupus.
Now in recovery and already seeing improvements, she is holding onto something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope.
Redefining Identity
One of the biggest challenges throughout her journey has been losing her sense of identity. Over time, she has learned how to redefine herself and find confidence in who she is.
"Living in a sick body is complicated, but I've learned that real beauty is in things like kindness, strength, and resilience. I can't control my health, but I can control who I am."
Micah credits her support system as everything: her family, friends, and the chronic illness community who showed up for her in both big and small ways. She also formed a meaningful connection with the only other person in the world to receive this treatment, reminding her that even in the rarest of experiences, you are never truly alone.
While she had to step away from playing basketball, she found a new way to stay connected through coaching, continuing to give back to her community and hold onto something she loves. Through it all, she has learned to find joy in the simple things: a good coffee, a hot shower, time with her one-year-old nephew and her three sisters.
Message to Others
"This sucks and you're allowed to feel that. You don't have to be positive all the time. When things are really hard, just focus on getting through one hour at a time."
"For a long time it was, 'I can't believe this is my life.' Now it's, 'I can't believe I made it through all of that.'"
Inspired by Micah's story? Know someone who should be our next Barrier Breaker?
Meet Nataly Ruiz
Our April Barrier Breaker: A 16-year-old embracing alopecia with confidence, creativity, and courage
Her Story
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.
Finding Community
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.
Creativity & Self-Expression
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.
Message to Others
"Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It's okay to cry or feel angry because those feelings are part of grieving your previous self. But don't stay there. Let those emotions guide you toward learning more about yourself and building confidence in who you are."
Messages from Friends
"Throughout my entire time knowing her, she has been nothing but loud and proud about her alopecia. No matter what crosses her path, she never wavers and continues to be confident in herself and what she has and that is why she is a barrier breaker."
"Nataly Ruiz is one of the strongest and most inspirational people I know. She's had alopecia since she was nine years old, and she's since grown up to be someone extremely proud and confident in who she is."
"She's not afraid to be bald, and educate people on how she got there. She doesn't just sit down and take an insult, she stands up and teaches people why they thought that would hurt her. In the face of adversity, she's a shining sun who loves every asset of herself."
Inspired by Nataly's story? Know someone who should be our next Barrier Breaker?
