My name is June, and I’m 25 years old. I was born in the Philippines, but I’m now a Melbourne, Australia girl. I’m a single mother to a beautiful six-year-old girl, and she’s the light of my life. And she make every day happy and brighter keep every family member happy.
I became a mom when I was just 18. Life felt so overwhelming back then. I was in Grade 11 and found myself getting pregnant, and as it began to show, I had to leave school. I wanted to avoid judgment and bullying around. At the same time, I was working; however, pregnancy demanded all my attention, and I did not have any other choice but to stop. I learnt to stay strong for us.
My world seemed to stop in its tracks. So young and just so unprepared, I was; my parents expected big things out of me, and somehow I felt I let everyone down, including myself. I felt lost and scared, not knowing how I would move forward. And then I promised to myself I will keep stay strong.
One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I came across a quote that would change everything: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Those words hit me in a way nothing else had. I realized that I could choose how to face my situation. And I choose to see hope.
She became my reason to move on: my purpose, motivation, my anchor through each challenge and struggle. She gives me strength every day, and it’s that strength that has helped me face another life-changing challenge. She is my light and courage.
A few months ago, while at work, I noticed a small bald patch on the left side of my forehead. I was shocked and confused. When I got home, I asked my sister-in-law to check my head, and she discovered another, larger patch at the back. Seeing it in a photo, I froze. I felt scared and sad, unsure of what was happening to me. My heart sank and fear took over.
A visit to the doctor confirmed I had Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. There’s no cure—only treatments to reduce inflammation. I worried constantly, thinking, “What if I lose all my hair? How will I hide it? What will people think?” Hair has always been a big part of my identity, and the thought of losing it was terrifying. I was scared and unsure myself.
But one thing I’ve learned is this: hair doesn’t define me. When I lose it all, I will still be me. I am still beautiful. I am still deserving. Our imperfections don’t make us less; they make us different.
I’ve also learned to be grateful. I have food in my mouth, a roof over my head, work, and-most of all-family and friends who are my support. So many of them called with words of encouragement and their own struggles with alopecia. It was overwhelming, comforting, and it touched my heart for knowing I am not alone. I felt that how truly luck I was.
To anybody who is facing the same challenge, you are not alone. Take care of yourself and put more focus on those who uplift you, and this world needs your peculiarity. Imperfections do not define you; they make you who you are. Being different is not less. Keep fighting, and the last thing is that you’re strong, brave, and beautiful because you are different.
