Olympic gold medalist Joanna Rowsell’s smashing victory at London 2012 inspired many across the globe and helped thousands to overcome their insecurities.
Joanna and about one in 100 people alive today suffer from alopecia. This is a medical condition whereby the immune system becomes corrupt and attacks the body’s hair follicles. The resulting hair loss spreads causing patchy bald spots or total baldness of the scalp and, quite often, of the whole body.
Joanne has suffered from the condition since the age of ten, when she first lost an eyebrow and then clumps of hair. Despite the efforts of numerous doctors, she was told the condition was incurable.
She is quoted as crying to her parents, and asking “why me?” Soon after, she began to lose her eyelashes; and confidence issues followed, which discouraged her from going out and doing the usual teenage things.
Despite her lack of confidence, Joanne says that her hair loss fuelled her determination and has driven her to success. When cycling came along she focused on that instead of her alopecia. What she looked like wasn’t important any longer. How she performed on a bike was all that mattered.
Gradually, Joanne realised her dream was to compete in cycling at the Olympics, and she wasn’t going to let her lack of hair interfere with that. Along the way winning provided her with the best feeling ever and she wouldn’t stop until she got to the top.
Fast-forward through years of feverish hard work and unstinting dedication. Joanne roared to glory in the women’s pursuit. Along with teammates Laura Trott and Dani King, Joanne broke the world record in every single round on the way to gold.
After crossing the finish line, Joanne dismounted, removed her helmet, and revealed to a worldwide audience of 17 million that she is almost completely bald. This simple but powerful action sent shockwaves around the globe. She knew in advance that it would be making a statement but hadn’t anticipated the size of the reaction.
Today, Joanna is a role model to thousands, if not millions, and is the poster girl for girls with alopecia. She was overwhelmed at first and not keen to be defined by her condition. However she came to realise that she has a responsibility towards others with alopecia and can make it easier for them to cope.
She has told reporters: “It’s always going to be a part of me, so I may as well embrace it and hopefully inspire other girls”.
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you realise what’s missing. For Joanne, it was self-confidence. What is missing in your life?
