Anyone who knew me when I was younger knew I was against tattoos. I always insisted I would never get one. I just didn't see the point. I saw people who had tattoos everywhere and thought, "how will they ever get a job?" I didn't think anything was ever worth getting marked for life. Nothing seemed important enough to put on my body forever.
One day that all changed.
I lost my hair due to Alopecia and at first, didn't even consider that worthy of a tattoo. I started seeing Alopecia awareness tattoos on Pinterest and in my support group, and started to fathom the idea. After coming to terms with the life I was living, I finally found something worth being permanently changed over.
Of course, I was worried. I knew how my family felt about tattoos and I knew the stereotypes surrounding people with tattoos. I was afraid of the idea of never being looked at the same, but I realized I am already living that way. My Alopecia changed me for the rest of my life, so what difference was a small tattoo going to make?
I finally told my parents, and they took it better than I ever could have imagined. My mom even agreed to get one to match to show her support for what I've been through. At first, I wanted to put it in a place no one would ever see it; my ribs. Up until about two weeks before my appointment, I was sure this is where I would put it. I realized that half of the reason I wanted this tattoo was to show my support for others going through the same journey I had. So why hide it?
Last week, I did it. I got my first tattoo; the tattoo I swore I would never get. This tattoo isn't just any tattoo. It has meaning and thought behind it. The light blue ribbon symbolizes Alopecia Awareness.This means that I am spreading the word about Alopecia to anyone who asks about my tattoo. It symbolizes how far I have come in terms of my openness with my disease. At first I went to extreme measures to hide it, and now I have it tattooed out in the open for all to see. The other half of the ribbon is in the shape of a heart. This symbolizes the love and solidarity with other Alopecians out there. It shows my constant support for everyone who is on the same journey I was. The heart symbolizes the endless support I received from my friends and family during this time. I'd say this tattoo is pretty special.
This tattoo is not something I will ever regret. Everything it stands for means so much to me, that I could never regret something like this. So even if my hair comes back someday, this tattoo will always be there to remind me of where I've been and how far I've come. Coming from the girl who said she would never get a tattoo, I am so happy I did.
