The phenomenal Angela Boes with her son Max (2.5 years) and her daughter Jolie (14 months). Angela had healthy pregnancies and deliveries with each of her children, and they were born naturally exactly 18 months apart. While pregnant with Max, she was in a car accident that caused anxiety and lingering pain, primarily in her neck. After birth, Angela was officially diagnosed with postpartum anxiety, and she began losing her hair. Following the birth of her daughter, she lost 95% of her hair. Postpartum Alopecia has been a struggle for Angela, but she's also found it to be a blessing. The exact causes of alopecia are mostly unknown, but it can be triggered by trauma, anxiety, stress, family loss, pregnancy or childbirth. She's found that switching careers from architecture to focus on yoga has helped to manage her anxiety and help her cope. Her daughter Jolie was diagnosed with alopecia recently, and Angela has found that giving back to those who are also struggling through support groups, particularly when talking to teens and younger children whose parents may not fully understand and identify with what they're going through, has been particularly helpful as well. Before this photo shoot, Angela had only gone out in public one time without a hat, wig or headscarf (for her yoga school graduation) and she often excludes herself from photographs with her children or makes sure she crops out her head. We are honored that Angela found the bravery to embrace her journey and share it with us all. You can read more about Angela's journey and alopecia in general at My Alopecia Project.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” - Maya Angelou