Brave Beauty

This is a recent interview from WEDU's A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins. The segment's synopsis is as follows: For a woman, a bald head is an announcement to the world - "I'm different" or "I'm sick." No woman wants that kind of attention, especially Susan Beausang. Susan comes from a family with three generations of breast cancer survivors. When she discovered she carried the cancer-causing gene, she elected to have preventative surgery. Without warning or notice, Susan developed a condition called Alopecia and began losing her hair. Her quest to find a suitable head covering that wouldn't scream "I'm sick" prompted her to design her own line of scarves. Susan's journey began as one to avoid breast cancer, but has come full circle as she reaches out to cancer survivors and other women with medical hair loss, desperately searching for femininity in a society that would rather pity. See more on our blog: http://www.4women.com/blog

Category:

Education

Tags:

• cancer
• alopecia
• breast
• BRCA2
• scarves
• 4women.com
• health
• beaubeau
• areata
• susan
• beausang

[CarolynPmom3]

I stumbled upon this video when I was looking for something to ad to my web page project for school. I called my 6 year old daughter over to watch. She had tears in her time by the time it was over. She too has Alopecia. She was diagnosed when she was two. It always makes her smile when she realizes she is not alone. She is my inspiration. Thank you! By the way I hope you won't mind, I added a link for your video to my site.

[beaubeau1031]

@CarolynPmom3

Hi Carolyn: I had tears in my eyes after I read your note. Thank you for watching my video. My disease has led me to a very rewarding place in my life. I have met so many wonderful, strong courageous women and children with medical hair loss. They are all my inspiration!

[karinsuebart]

Bravo to you for turning a challenge into such a great triumph! Twenty years ago I began to lose my hair due to alopecia areata - ten years ago I lost it all, and I've been living with alopecia universalis ever since. Last week I had surgery for breast cancer - there is much in your story I can relate to and I applaud your courage, strength, and the caring you've shared through your work and spirit! Thank you, Karin

[beaubeau1031]

Hi Karin:

Thank you for watching my video. I am on a roller coaster with my Alopecia! My hair grew back but is now on it's way out again. I am sorry to hear of your breast cancer and wish you well. Life can be so challenging at times. Try and remain positive!

Susan

[CakeTownTyrant]

I have alopecia areata, and i was looking at beaubeau's online just a few hours before i stumbled upon this video! They're so great, thank you for creating them! My hair is on it's way to all coming out, and i start 11th grade next week, so it's very glad that there's more out there than just those little 'cancer scarves' to hide our baldness under! Thanks! :)

[beaubeau1031]

HI There! I know one of the most difficult issues with those of us with Alopecia is not to be mistaken for a person that is sick. Losing your hair is an emotional upheaval at any age! I've had AU for 7 years and then last year my hair began to grow back. I've enjoyed having hair for about 1 1/2 years and now it's beginning to fall out again. Alopecia has a mind of it's own!!! I know none of my word will make losing your hair any easier but remember you are not alone.

[beaubeau1031]

Thank you so much for watching my video and writing.

[SaraAnna1104]

you are absolutely beautiful inside and out. Thank you