Helen

Helen has known Bev for many years, right from the days when Bev owned her salon in the Barossa area, and they have continued a great friendship. In March of 2004, aged 53, Helen had been diagnosed with breast cancer, luckily enough for her, the doctors had caught it early enough and were able to do a lumpectomy and manage it with hormone therapy, preventing the need for chemotherapy or radiation.Unfortunately, in April of 2012, Helen’s cancer returned, resulting in Helen needing to have a single mastectomy. Not a day goes by that Helen is not constantly reminded of what she has been through. She is a survivor and she lives her life today surrounded by family and friends.As Helen explains, she is fortunate that her breast cancer is not as bad as others, “it still affects my way of life and my way of thinking”. It is so important, I believe, to listen and share your experience with those too who may be in some way affected by cancer, it’s a word no one wants to hear but it affects us all and those around us.A strong sense of community in the Barossa area flows through one of the oldest wineries “Seppeltsfield”. The winery in line with breast cancer Awareness in October, have partnered with ABCR through “Moscato Mission” to raise money for Breast Cancer research. The funds raised from each bottle of Moscato sold, 50 percent from each bottle, will be donated to the research. Helen’s son who is a long time employee and VIP guest manager at Seppeltsfield knows all to well, with his mother being affected by cancer, that he and several employees who too have had family members directly affected by cancer, the importance of being able to contribute to such a great cause. He says it has given the team a real sense of pride.Nigel, Helen’s son, is very proud to be a part of the Moscato Mission, a special highlight for him this year is that he celebrates his 20th year milestone at Seppeltsfield. “To have worn the Moscato Mission badge throughout the month of October makes me think of my mum and all that she has been through”.

Leah

I first came to Beverly May in utter distress, visibly upset after spending $500 USD buying my first wig in the USA and getting totally ripped off. I had been living in New York and had experienced increased hair loss due to stress, so I decided to give in, and finally buy a wig. When I turned up on Beverly’s doorstep I was not only upset about getting ripped off, I was exhausted, stressed and depressed about my increased hair loss. I was at my lowest point and wearing a wig caused me so much anxiety that I would just cry.Fast forward two years and I have to say that in hindsight, walking into Beverly May Hair Salon saved me. Not only have I learnt so much about wigs, wig styling, what to look for and how to fit it, I now own two wigs and love wearing them! I feel more myself than before, I feel like the real me.My hair loss stared when I was 18 (I’m now 36). It has progressively thinning over the 18 years but I have noticed rapid acute hair loss in the last few years. It is now the worst it has ever been. Technically, I was diagnosed with ‘Female Pattern Baldness’ but I still have no concrete answers about why I experience hair loss. I have been to many doctors, endocrinologist, dermatologist and Trichologists. I have taken lots of supplements, medications and had blood test all resulting in ‘Normal’. Genetically there is no hair loss in my falmily; both my sister and Mum have full head of thick hair. So why did I draw the short straw? It’s really easy to feel sorry for yourself. People will tell you it’s not “that bad”, they say, “oh just wear a hat” and there are all the thickening and colour products to make hair look fuller. Whatever the solution, I can tell you I have tried it! I was beyond frustrated about my hair loss, but the one thing I had not tried was a wig. I promised myself that I would never wear a wig because I believe there was a stigma about wigs ‘fake’. I felt self-conscious and was worried if people could spot the ‘look’ of a wig.Wearing alternative hair is not the end of the world! In fact, it can be just the beginning. Beverly and her team are Angels disguised as hairdressers. Firstly, I realised that there is help when you are ready to receive it. Secondly, it opened my eyes up to a world of women just like me, experiencing their own hair loss trauma. I realised that there are so many solutions available. In fact, it made me look and feel better because I finally had the hair I always dreamt I would have !! I think that wearing a wig or a topper is deeply personal depending on your needs. It takes time to get comfortable but this is helped along with the nurturing, caring support and professional experience of Beverly and her team who eased me into styling and wearing wigs.I am now a wig-styling whizz and I get so many compliments when I go out. It makes me feel more free and feminine because I am not constantly worrying about exposed scalp, visible hair extensions or the tension caused by over styling my hair to look thicker.To anyone who might look at my natural hair, my before photo and think, “that looks like me” I will tell you, you are not alone. I felt shame in talking about hair loss and I did not know where to turn before walking into Beverly May. I am so glad I did because now I am more empowered after realising that whilst I can’t control my hair loss, I can control how I perceive it, how others perceive me, I can style my ‘look’ with the confidence and I can accept it, and with that, comes freedom.