With shaking hands and tears rolling down her face, 13-year-old Kyana Combrink dragged clippers against her scalp, watching as her tresses fell to the floor.

It had only been a month since the Laerskool Rynfield learner was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, resulting in Hashimoto’s disease and Alopecia Areata.

Sitting at the dining room table flanked by her mom, Mandy and dad, Morné, the spritely teen exudes confidence, poking fun at the tufts of baby soft hair sprouting around bald spots, the size of R5 coins.

“From today, I will be able to sport three hairstyles, with the flick of a hand,” said the keen netball player, who was recently selected for the U/15 Gauteng indoor netball team.

Twirling a curl from one of her new wigs between her fingers, Kyana could not stop beaming at Martie de Villiers, founder of Rise and Restore Project, who, with the assistance of Mike and Liz Hairpieces’ Delia Annendale, donated two wigs to the teen, before she kicks off her high school journey.

With admiration in her eyes, Mandy explains how her oldest daughter’s shock diagnosis affected the family.

“By all accounts, Kyana was fighting fit. In August, she noticed significant hair loss,” she said.

“Numerous doctors’ visits and blood tests confirmed the diagnosis. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride that had a significant impact on her bubbly personality.”

Kyana describes how she would spend hours in front of the mirror trying various methods to mask her balding crown.

“Nothing worked! That was when I decided to shave it all off, facing the reality of this autoimmune disease,” she said.

“Although I cried the entire time, wondering if I had made the right decision, I started feeling lighter. It felt like revealing the truth of my condition forced me to stand tall with confidence.”

Swallowing her tears, Mandy said it was in that moment that Kyana’s strength and determination shone.

“Every parent’s fear is having to stand by, watching as their child struggle and not being able to take the pain away. Kyana, however, embraced the vulnerability, turning it into vigour.”

Bald and uncertain, Kyana returned to school, steeling herself against murmurs of speculation about her daring new look.

“I heard the giggles, and it reduced me to tears. My teacher took me aside and encouraged me to tell my classmates about my condition,” she said.

“To my surprise, the whispers immediately stopped, and the boys returned to school the following day with shaved heads. I could not believe that they did that to support me.”

Watching the sassy teen apply a splash of lip gloss before having her photo taken, Morné said he believes Kyana’s resilience will hopefully guide her when she steps onto Hoërskool Brandwag’s grounds as a Grade Eight learner next year.

“She is wise beyond her years, and I hope that her new classmates will take the time to get to know her, instead of just seeing the girl who lost all her hair,” he said.

Looking up to her dad, Kyana said that she fears being made fun of at the beginning of her high school career.

“Will I show up to the first day of school bald, as a blonde or as a brunette? I don’t know, but will I walk through the school gates as the most authentic version of myself, absolutely,” she said with a bright smile.

“Challenges build character, and I have learnt that my hair, or lack of it, does not influence my personality or capabilities. Embracing the truest version of yourself will always be your most beautiful asset.”

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