Maggie Anderson already knows what you’re thinking, so you might as well just go ahead and ask.
“I think they’re just thinking I have cancer or something, so they’re just worried so I’m like, you know, it’s cool, I’m OK,” she said.
Anderson has Alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Anderson began having symptoms when she was just 2 years old.
“It just started falling out in patches,” said her mom Amy. “Just round little patches all over her head, and that’s when we realized something wasn’t right.”
The Andersons went to several different dermatologists before it became apparent that the situation was out of their hands.
“The third dermatologist I went to, once he told us once again that it was Alopecia, for 20 minutes I cried,” Amy said.
On the court though, Maggie can forget about everything else as she stars for the Ropes Eagles, who are undefeated heading into the playoffs.
“You know Maggie just attracts people and people want to be around Maggie and people want to listen to Maggie,” said her coach, Mike McCann. “I think it’s because of the way Maggie treats people.”
So if you ever see her around, don’t be hesitant, because Maggie sure isn’t.
“I’m not shy,” she said. “I like talking to other people about it (Alopecia). I thought it was always nice when people asked.”
“Anyone that comes into contact with Maggie’s day is better,” says her dad Luke. “She’s just positive….she’s a ray of sunshine.”
Maggie and the Eagles will have a chance to continue their undefeated run when they take on Valley in the Area round of the UIL Playoffs.
