My name is Liz Shiel. I live in Athlone and I am 47 years old. Four years ago I founded Alopecia Support Ireland. In 1998 I started getting small round bald patches all over my head I received various amounts of different treatments but to no avail. In January 2000 all my hair finally fell out, by March 2000 I had no body hair left. This condition is called Alopecia Universalis. I have a strong personality and I truly believe that because of this I am able to cope in dealing with Alopecia. In the last three years I have started wearing wigs and now even find it fun changing hairstyles, although I can empathize with anyone who finds it difficult to deal with this condition as I did all those years ago. For this reason I decided to found a website, helpline and support group dedicated to anyone who might suffer or is in contact with someone who suffers from Alopecia. Suffering from this condition is a very personal thing obviously externally but just as serious internally. Facing people everyday when your hair first starts to fall out is very difficult and equally as difficult to admit. I am hoping with the anonymity of the support line and website that sufferers will feel free and safe to express their feelings. I am hopeful that I will be successful in setting up some support groups throughout the Country and raising awareness of this awful emotional and physical and widely misunderstood condition.