How did Wrexham woman with alopecia overcome devastating hair loss?
A woman overcame the harrowing effects of losing her hair – thanks to her love of netball.
Gemma Nelson, 22, now coaches the sport and helps run one of North Wales’ biggest clubs.
As a 16 year-old, she had to cope with alopecia which made life difficult for the teenager who was conscious of her looks.
But six years on and with her hair growing back, Gemma says netball and getting involved in the Glyndwr University-based North Dragons Netball Club has been her salvation.
The sales assistant who works at the Next store at the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre in Wrexham, said her ordeal started when she was 15.
(Photo: Eye Imagery)
Gemma said: “My hair wasn’t growing and started falling out in big lumps and I was diagnosed by my doctor as having alopecia.
“The condition can be caused by stress but mine was down to my immune system.
“Basically my body began attacking my hair and that caused the hair loss. My hair began to grow back for a while and then when I was 16 it all fell out, everything including my eye lashes and eye brows.
“It was tough but in fairness school wasn’t an issue as everyone was really supportive, there was no bullying. The big issue was walking down the street and people staring, I found that quite difficult.
“There is no real treatment for alopecia. I wore wigs and most people didn’t notice. But I decided to stop wearing a wig and that’s when my confidence grew back too.
“Slowly my hair began to grow back when I got to 21. I still wear hair extensions and a hair piece to cover some bald patches but it’s definitely getting better.”
Gemma studied sports coaching at Glyndwr University and that’s where her love of netball really took hold.
She said: “I did play netball at school and when I arrived at Glyndwr University I went for trials for the netball team.
“My friend, Beccy Roberts, has set up the North Dragons Netball Club based at the university and asked me whether I wanted to get involved as she could do with another pair of hands.
“I got a place in the university’s second team and began helping Beccy with the club in 2012. The problem is the club has just expanded and expanded! I slowly took my coaching badges.
“The club is massive now. We have five-year-old girls up to adults with more than 200 members and run 10 competitive league teams. Junior teams play in the Deeside Junior League and adults in the North East Wales League.”
Gemma, who lives in Wrexham, is jetting off to the Netherlands with England Netball to help coach British girls taking part in a tour.
She added: “There is no doubt netball has really helped me get over the problems of alopecia. I feel I can be myself and have lots more confidence. I work 21 hours a week at Next and spend the rest of my time coaching netball, I just love it.”
To find out more about North Dragons Netball Club check out their Facebook page.
