I Wonder What it is Like.....by Emily Sassman.

 I Wonder What It's Like... 

Hi there, my name is Emily Sassman. I am 20 years old and I have a beautiful head of hair, that I know I take for granted.  I've always been the type to think " I wonder what it's like to...", and I've learned that it's hard to judge someone or even sympathize with someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. I personally think you'd have to run a marathon or something because one mile seems way too easy.  And those are the reasons why I've chosen to take a bit of a journey and have decided to share it. 

This year I have decided to participate in a favorite part of the St.Baldricks charity (which is an awesome charity that is all about trying to find the cure for cancer).  

I am shaving my head.  

Now, when you shave your head, besides being able to donate your hair, you are also making a statement. You are showing your support.  

I can't say that everyone I know is thrilled that I am doing this. They have said that there are other ways to show my support, and that there are even other charities to support. It's been said that I may be doing this for attention or for other selfish reasons. I've been told I will regret it and that I will hate the way I look.  

Let's just stop right there.  

I am not doing this for attention. There are plenty other ways I could be doing that. I am a 20 year old woman and I am known for being creative. Trust me, shaving my head would not be my first choice if I wanted more attention.  

There are of course other charities to support and I hope that throughout my lifetime I can give my support to multiple charities, but you have to start somewhere, am I right?  

Hate the way I look? Yes, I probably will at some points. I am sure that there are going to be days when I look in the mirror and think, ugh, I miss it, I miss my hair. But I also know that every time I look in the mirror I will be thinking of the kids that St.Baldricks is helping. I will think that they are grateful everyday that they have a fighting chance. And I will be thinking that if they aren't feeling sorry for themselves, I have no right to.  

I am 20 years old and I am deciding who I want to be and what kind of impact I want to make. And I just take pride in the fact that I would go for something I believe in, regardless of what anyone else says or thinks.  

Will that backfire sometimes? Absolutely.  

But at least if I go down in flames, I will go down passionately believing that what I did was right.  

I am excited at this opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause and it will give me a chance to see how society reacts to me as a bald woman.  

I will be writing about my experiences and sharing them with you. 

 If anyone is interested in supporting me through this and supporting an amazing cause head to: St.Baldricks.org and look for my page. Just search my name: Emily Sassman.  If you have any questions, you can contact me directly at EmilyJF3@aim.com.

Thank you for reading.  

Until I'm bald and beautiful, 

Emily

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