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May 2013

Delena Smith Writes of Difficult Childhood with Alopecia


The Girl from Orchard Park with Alopecia is an authentic story about a poor young black girl affected by the alopecia hair disease at a young age, living in the vicious Orchard Park projects in the violent part of Roxbury during the late ’70s and ’80s.

alopecia book

How she dealt with the disease as well as the bullying in the project and in life in general.

This is based on a true story detailing her life with alopecia.

There are also facts about the disease that she brings to light that affect the alopecia community specifically.

She believes that there should be more research done and general information on the disease and is an advocate of any new cure being worked on for it.

According to the American Hair Loss Association, 1 in 1000 children suffers from the hair loss disease, alopecia areata. The condition is thought to be caused by the body's immune system attacking the hair follicles, and is still without a cure.

Smith discusses how she dealt with the disease as well as the endless bullying she experienced in the project and in life in general.

Not only does she share her personal struggle with alopecia, Smith also provides facts about the disease throughout the book.

The author believes there should be more research on alopecia and is an advocate of any new cure being worked on for it.

An excerpt from “The Girl from Orchard Park with Alopecia”

“Just thinking about the days when I was going to summer camp I could never be like the other girls just getting in the water why was I the one who always had to wear swimming caps? Here are more questions!

And never mind taking a shower in the cabin. Embarrassed! Girls would have their ponytails and I couldn’t do it, more questions to ask. Going to high school on public transportation, in front of my house, I couldn’t skip school grandma and grandpa, also known as Paul.

They would see me as I would be getting on the bus to make sure I did so safely. Kids would tease me still though.”

About the Author

Delena Smith was born in Albany, N.Y. and raised in Boston. She lived in the Orchard Park housing project from a little girl up until her late teen years where she witnessed many life-shattering events. Being bullied frequently throughout the years in turn made her resilient. Through it all, however, she succeeded in life and lives on to tell her experiences.

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