70. Grace Duhs: Finding Growth Opportunities in the Midst of Trials
How do you find hope in your darkest hours? This 15-year-old Alopecia warrior has some answers. In this very special episode of Hydrate, I chat with the most inspiring person I know whose strength amazes me every day. She's none other than my firstborn daughter, Grace Duhs. At age 2, Grace was diagnosed with alopecia. Her diagnosis struck me like a train wreck, but it never destroyed my hope. She’s now a lovely 15-year-old who brings sunshine where she goes. An extrovert, she puts on a contagious smile that overshadows the struggles she’s been through. Not having hair can affect anyone’s confidence, but Grace is learning to be happy with what she has now. Here, she opens up about what it's like to be a teenage girl living with alopecia and how she overcomes her anxieties. She looks back on her most heartbreaking letdown (which happened on a Christmas day!) and shares why her friendship with a fellow Alopecia patient boosts her self-esteem. She also mentions the things she wishes people could stop asking her when they see her in bandana. Plus, we talk about some of the diets and medications we tried along the years and how Grace reacted to them. If you’re struggling with a health condition or just finding it difficult to find light in these trying times, let Grace’s journey inspire you to keep going. What we discuss… 2:35 – What it feels like to be a high school girl living with alopecia 4:30 – Dealing with the soul-crushing diagnosis 8:40 – The academic achiever & life of the party 9:53 – The little secret behind Grace’s admirable courage 11:16 – Her healing journey & greatest letdown 15:20 – Losing all hope because of a broken promise 21:00 – Is it hard to find a friend who understands your condition? 24:00 – What she wishes people could stop asking her 28:00 – Does Grace fear that no boy will like her because of her looks? 31:40 – Tracy’s greatest lesson on self-love 32:35 – Overcoming anxieties & owning her space in sports