As this girl walked through the city centre last Friday evening, people moved out of her way, their subtle glances and slightly negative body language reacting to her presence in a way just perceptibly different than she had experienced before.
This girl is my fifteen year old daughter, who just a few hours prior to her city centre experience, had a head of magnificent long hair almost to her waist. Nothing about her was different except the lack of hair. The clothes she was wearing were her usual casual style; she was with her sister and a small group of close friends who all had their hair. Nothing out of the ordinary. They were coming home from supporting a friend in a stand-up comedy audition.
On this day, my caring, altruistic and gutsy fifteen year old daughter had shaved off her hair in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s Be Brave and Shave fund raiser. She has raised over $1000 in sponsorship, and will sell her stunning, long locks to a wig maker and donate the proceeds of that also.
On her walk through the city that evening, she felt the difference in people around her. She came home and told us about it, with a bit of a laugh. She didn’t make a fuss, but I think it may have stung a little. It certainly stung me a bit. I’m so proud of her that I could burst.
It’s a pity that the passers by could only see what was on the surface. A tag that goes with the hairstyle – a preconception of aggression maybe? Are we programmed to think the worst? Should attitudes be so appearance-based? It’s a bit sad I suppose. Maybe I would have reacted similarly. She has things in perspective – “It’s only hair, Mum. It’ll grow back.” If only they had been able to see beneath their first impression they would have seen her shining light.
Good on her for being brave and shaving! I did it last year, so I guess I can relate a little to the funny looks, though I am of course a million years older than her so people were probably more likely to think that I had cancer than punk attitude. Unfortunately no one is too young for cancer and people should remember that and give her credit for her altruism :)
Meanwhile, everyone in the whole wide world is jealous of her boots, right? Lovely meeting you yesterday…
Thanks for reading Dani, and yes, everyone is jealous of the boots, including me! Seriously considered getting the same ones, but that would just be too sad. Great to meet you yesterday too.
Looking wonderful….and what a great amount for the charity!!
She does look pretty cool. Money is still being donated. She’s got til June.
It angers me because while people make an assumption that she’s a “skinhead” or something, they are ignoring the fact that she could actually have been recovering from bout after bout of chemotherapy or some other illness. People jump to conclusions and make snap judgments. I still remember the day my Dad asked me to shave his head for him. I couldn’t be more proud of her
Beautiful girl.
Even more beautiful on the inside!