A peek-a-boo look or her curly auburn hair just blowing in the wind, for Chasity Sutton Creech these simple acts are again possible, thanks to the generosity of family, friends and supporters.

Several years of dealing with the social and emotional stigmas of a hair loss condition known as alopecia areata left Creech bald and often depressed.

Bald was not her style, said Creech this week.

"My husband Kurt joked about tattooing in hair — he is a tattoo artist — but I really liked having hair," said Creech, smiling and tossing her newly attached tresses with abandon.

Now he is playfully peeking around corners at home for a look at the "new/old" Chasity.

"He just smiles," she said.

The story of her seven-year battle with alopecia was featured in October in The Ledger Independent as friends prepared a benefit to help pay for her treatment and new hair; both were a success.

Thanks to donations, Creech has a nearly permanent, human hair, wig attached to her head with a strong adhesive method.

It takes a close look to see the webbing which holds the hair in place in the same manner her natural hair once was.

"When we first saw it in place we both started crying," Creech said.

No more worrying about the wind or a branch catching her hair, which would have caused an embarrassing loss of a traditional wig and what was left of her dignity.

Scarves brought her the same kind of worries, she said.

"My son Konnor said he wants all my old headscarves," Creech said. "I have 10 -12 other wigs, which I never want to wear again, but I'm holding onto them in case someone else I know may someday need any of them."

She has also recovered the smile her friends remembered, Creech said.

"I didn't realize how much the alopecia was affecting me until my friends started coming up to me after I got this wig and said it was nice to have me back," Creech said. "They weren't talking about the hair, they were talking about my personality."

The best part about the transformation, other than Kurt peeking around the corners of the house, has been washing her hair.

"The water running through it … it is just like when I had my own hair. When I could do that again I knew I was back," Creech said.

Thankful her hair loss was not for more dire reasons, Creech is also thankful for her counselors, especially Julie, at The Hair Club in Cincinnati.

"(Hair Club) gets a bad wrap in jokes, but they really are helping people. I see men, women and children who are transformed when they get their wigs. It is a spiritual experience," Creech said.

She will occasionally return to Hair Club for style changes and maintenance checks.

Through her ordeal with alopecia, she no longer takes little things for granted.

"Before you know it they can be taken away. Women who have gone through (alopecia) or worse, cancer, hold a special place in my heart. For them to be so strong, I admire every aspect of their lives." Creech said. "It is amazing how strong they can be."

For information on alopecia go to National Alopecia Areata Foundation at www.naaf.org.

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 276.

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