Teenage Cancer Patient Finds Confidence Through Specialist Wigs Amidst Bullying

A mother has detailed how her teenage daughter has experienced “horrific bullying” and ceased attending school since receiving a cancer diagnosis. Sarah is actively fundraising for specialist wigs, which she states provide 14-year-old Meadow with confidence during her leukaemia treatment. Meadow, a resident of Frenchay, South Gloucestershire, was diagnosed in November 2023 and has subsequently lost significant amounts of her hair. She recalled, “I remember saying to my mum so many times in the hospital, ‘what have I done in my past life to deserve anything like this?'” Sarah described the day Meadow lost her hair as “a really devastating day for us all.” She added, “When huge clumps of hair was coming out in her hairbrush, you knew then that she had cancer and it was serious.” According to Sarah, Meadow has faced bullying since her diagnosis and no longer attends school full-time. Meadow herself commented, “I don’t think any person should go through this,” and further stated, “Losing my hair was like losing a part of me.” The 14-year-old has experimented with various wigs to enhance her confidence, but reported that many have slipped, fit poorly, or were of low quality. After months of trying different wigs, the mother and daughter discovered what they consider the “perfect solution” in interlace wigs. These wigs are constructed from different sections sewn and attached to the scalp, over any remaining hair. Meadow stated that her interlace wig is “way better,” enabling her to wash it, sleep with it, and not be concerned about it. She further remarked, “No one’s even questioned if it’s my hair or not. I feel a lot more confident with it on.” However, Sarah finds the associated costs difficult to sustain, which is why the family is aiming to raise £2,600 to help cover these expenses. Interlace wigs cost £2,000 and require adjustments every six weeks, with fitting costs exceeding £100 per hour, in addition to needing replacement throughout her treatment. Readers can follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites and provides information on its approach to external linking.