When an opportunity arose in Niam's school for students to deliver a speech on a topic that mattered to them, he realised that this was an opportunity to raise awareness, explain how it feels to receive unkind comments and also inspire others facing their own challenges. When we found out about Niam's speech, we asked if we could share it with our community, and we are pleased that he said yes. Here it is: 

We're all the same inside by Niam

When you look at me, would you think I am different to you? Probably not. Maybe just a bad haircut at the back with some bald patches and a missing eyebrow. Nothing else. Simple, right? Well, think again because I have alopecia. 

Hello, my name is Niam and I am here to explain a little more about this condition. 

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss from when the body's natural immune and defence system is attacking itself. In other words it means that the body thinks it is fighting a disease, but it is actually fighting itself and is then targeting the hair follicles which causes the hair to fall out. 

There are many different types of alopecia, for example alopecia totalis - this is where there is complete hair loss all over the body. However, I have something called alopecia areata, also known as patchy alopecia, which comes and goes in smaller areas.

Alopecia is something that people cannot control. 

I am a normal person but one of the biggest challenges is having to deal with inconsiderate people who make fun of our appearance. As a person who is living with this condition it makes me sad that this happens and that people do not care about our feelings. I mean, it does not cost you anything to be kind, does it?

In actual fact, nasty comments that upset can cause more stress which in turn can make the alopecia even worse. 

Alopecia can be triggered by stress but other things can contribute as well. 

When I was young, I had to go bald twice, but I had my family and friends like you guys there to support me. I appreciate this as it makes a huge difference. Despite this as I grew older and met new people, I still had that constant worry of what they thought about me. 

People often stare and recently I had someone from year 7 come up to me and ask whether I had cancer. I explained this wasn't the case but the comment hurt me inside. 

Once I even had someone from year 10 come up to me and physically grab my neck and force me to tell him about my hairloss. This was in my first term of secondary school so was an intimidating experience. 

I have also had older kids from years 10 and 11 laughing in the background at my hair - surely they should be more mature and understanding at that age and if they were in my shows, perhaps they would realise that their actions are hurtful. Or is is that they think they are perfectly normal and better than me? I don't think so! 

Maybe if they were different in some way, they would not make fun?

I have always been told to not care about what others say about my appearance, and I don't, but sometimes there is only so much a person can take. 

I am lucky to have lots of good friends and family around to support me, but others have nobody that will listen to them and this is heart-breaking. I can't imagine what it is like for people dealing with way worse. 

There are thousands of people in the world dealring with bring different right now and being looked down upon. But if everyone looked the same, the world would be a boring place. I stand here for all those people who are a little different and are dealing with the challenges that come with it.

Well done Niam for doing such a good job of raising awareness and sharing your experience. We are sure you have helped others in your school, and further afield.