Freya’s Story

ADOLESCENCE WITH ALOPECIA

‘When I lost my hair at the age of 11, I wasn’t particularly phased. I wasn’t really too concerned about what it looked like. My parents and my family worried about the impact it would have on me, but it was only as I became older that I became conscious about the hair loss. In my earlier teens, I just wanted to fit in, but I couldn’t help but stand out. The only time I feel truly comfortable with how I look (without the wig and makeup) is when I’m being photographed. It gives me confidence and freedom to be myself. When I’m not being photographed, my strength (although I’m working on finding it in myself) often comes from support from the people around me. And I am inspired by many people including my family and other models/ actors with physical differences. My main drive in my own goals is to remember that I get out of a situation the same positivity that I put in.’

Freya, 16, is an animal and nature lover who is also into math and physics and who doesn’t like spending time on social media. But, like many other teenagers, she likes dressing up and going out with her best friend.