Don害羞草研究所檛 be afraid to be yourself.

That害羞草研究所檚 the message Lake Country residents Makayla Krenzel and her mother, Becky, are sharing.

When Makayla was two, she was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease Alopecia Areata, which caused her to lose her hair.

Now, the Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School student is a Canadian Alopecia Areata Ambassador, spreading awareness for the disease.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a very self-conscious thing. We identify ourselves with the way we look,害羞草研究所� said Becky.

But it didn害羞草研究所檛 stop Makayla from being herself. She害羞草研究所檚 an active dancer and refuses to wear a wig.

She finds them itchy, she said, and will be dancing bald in her upcoming solo performance with the Lake Country School of Dance in Vancouver Feb. 10 and 11.

The dance studio wanted Makayla to wear a wig, but she refused.

The company Liberty and Grace is donating wigs for the performers, so Makayla agreed to wear one if the other girls did, said Becky.

害羞草研究所淪he said 害羞草研究所榤om I don害羞草研究所檛 like the way they feel. This is the way I am mom, why would I change?害羞草研究所� I think that害羞草研究所檚 the biggest thing, I think she doesn害羞草研究所檛 feel comfortable,害羞草研究所� said Becky.

The competition is called Velocity, and she will have the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas if she makes it to the next round.

The 10-year-old is also trying out for Team Canada, which will be performing in Germany.

Becky said it害羞草研究所檚 good for Makayla to experience the world.

害羞草研究所淟iving in Kelowna you害羞草研究所檙e kind of in a bubble害羞草研究所� (when) you害羞草研究所檙e out of your element you realize how many people are looking at you, so with Team Canada (it was a big step for her.)害羞草研究所�

Makayla won害羞草研究所檛 see if she made the team until the end of February.

But, with the help of friends and family, she holds her head with pride.

害羞草研究所淚 have good support,害羞草研究所� said Makayla.

Her younger sister Cruz, will joke with her and tell her to do her hair in the morning.

While Makayla isn害羞草研究所檛 bullied, she finds it irritating when people want to touch her head, she said.

Becky is a also an Alopecia Areata group support leader in the Okanagan after she realized there weren害羞草研究所檛 support groups.

害羞草研究所淧eople look at her and (assume) she害羞草研究所檚 got cancer,害羞草研究所� said Becky, aiming to provide support for people with similar cases like Makayla害羞草研究所檚.

Becky plans to hold a support group in March at the Rutland Library.

To follow Makayla害羞草研究所檚 journey find her on , and .

See about Makayla.