Liz Shiel
(Founder of Alopecia Support Ireland)
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.
Elizabeth (Liz) Shiel RIP
To Nigel, Hope, Kirsty, all of Liz’s beautiful grandchildren, her sister Maria, her wide circle of family and friends, we were shocked to read of Liz’s recent passing.
We are so sorry to see she had been suffering from a long illness. It must be a huge loss to you all since Liz was such a big part of all your lives. She would often talk about you all.
Alopecia Ireland
Thank you for the memories
I (Karen) first met Liz in March 2008 at the first Alopecia Ireland support group meeting in the Red Cow Hotel. It was the first time I had spoken to anyone with Alopecia having suffered with it for over 33years. Liz was so friendly and welcoming to everyone who attended that night. I remember coming out on a high and couldn’t wait for the next meeting.
Liz always kept us up to date with any news or events that were happening to do with Alopecia and organised TV interviews raising awareness about alopecia.
For a number of years we travelled to Greyabbey in Northern Ireland for weekends to meet with the support group up there. In 2010 Liz organised the first trip up with the guys who set the charity up there. This friendship continues to this day and Liz would have been sorry to hear of the recent passing of Roswyn Long, grandmother of the child who the charity was set up for.
When Liz had to step down due to health reasons a few years ago the group continued to meet and still do. Liz tipped in and out when she felt up to it and joined one or two of our online meetings during COVID.
We are happy to continue with Liz’s legacy of Alopecia Ireland and are here to support adults and children who are going through all forms of Alopecia. A lot of us would never have met if it wasn’t for Liz setting up this wonderful group.
May Liz rest in peace. Xxx
I (Paddy) first spoke with Liz in 2012, months after I lost all of my hair. I attended my first Alopecia Ireland support group meeting a few weeks after that. It was a turning point in my journey with alopecia thanks to Liz and the wonderful group of people on that committee.
The COVID years interrupted our meetings but they introduced us to Zoom and now we chat with people online as well as in person.
Thanks to Liz, and her commitment to raising awareness about alopecia, we are now seen beyond our hair loss. Thanks too, to Liz’s family for supporting her as she supported us.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam