Support group available for those who are hirsute

Dear Diane: I would like to respond to "So Sad" and shareinformation for all women who are hirsute (have excessive facialhair).

I have suffered from hirsutism since I was 12 years old. I amnow 33, and the accusations have been painful and many.

I have been ridiculed and humiliated. I have been called a man,a lesbian, a transsexual and a transvestite - all because I havefacial hair. Think of the pain it causes a woman to be accused ofthese things just because she has facial hair. This hurts deeply.

I wish people would stop to think of the damage these commentscan do to someone's emotional well-being. How would they feel if theshoe were on the other foot?

I have never written to an advice columnist before, but I wouldlike to share this information. There is a group for hirsute women,thank God: the Daughters of Hirsutism Association.

I SHARE YOUR PAIN, TOO

Dear Diane: On behalf of the Daughters of Hirsutism Association,I would like to thank you for your kind and sincere response to "SoSad."

I encourage your readers to be more sensitive and understandingwhen they meet a child or woman with facial hair. As for familymembers, I implore you to be supportive and sensitive to your lovedone.

My food for thought is this: Because a woman has facial hairdoes not mean that she is masculine, a transvestite, etc. Pleasethink twice before you make comments about or ostracize a woman orchild who is hirsute.

I would like to tell "So Sad" that she is not alone.

The Daughters of Hirsutism Association is a nationalorganization in the United States and Canada. The group assists thehirsute woman through networking, educational seminars, supportgroups and workshops.

The association also offers referrals. Write. Join. Thereare many like you out there searching for a solution.

Our address is Daughters of Hirsutism Association, Box 2871,Chicago 60690-2871.

JENNIFER SMITH,

FOUNDER AND

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Diane: In your answer to "So Sad," you addressed theemotional difficulty and ignorance still surrounding the verydelicate subject of hirsutism. Your advice was excellent.

I am sure you are aware that a lot of publicity has been givento devices that do not achieve permanent hair removal.

Electrology is an emerging allied health field and isrecognized by the medical field as the only method of permanent hairremoval.

The American Electrology Association is the largest professionalorganization in the field for the permanent removal of unwanted hair.Our standards represent the only comprehensive effort to guideelectrologists nationally in the areas of sterilization, safety andhygiene.

The certified professional electrologist designation guides thepublic in selection of a professional electrologist.

A list of the CPEs in your readers' areas and a copy of thebrochure "Is Electrology for You?" will be sent upon request andreceipt of a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope.

Write to the American Electrology Association, 106 Oak RidgeRd., Trumbull, Conn. 06611.

TERESA E. PETRICCA,

CPE, PRESIDENT

Dear Diane: I enjoy reading your column in the ChattanoogaTimes, and I appreciate and respect the answers you give to the manytroubled letter-writers.

I was particularly interested in a letter from "So Sad," a37-year-old woman who says she's very hirsute and is ridiculed byvirtually everyone, including her husband, which I think isdisgraceful. She was probably hairy, or getting hairy, when theymarried. Why is he now down on her?

Anyway, she sounds like the woman of my dreams, at least from aphysical standpoint, and I wish I could meet her and express myfeelings.

Diane, would it be totally out of the question for you to giveme her address, or for you to pass my letter on to her? Whateveryour decision, I will respect it.

Thank you and keep up the good work! CHATTANOOGA

Dear Chattanooga: Though it is my policy not to put one readerin contact with another, I am sure your letter will make the day for"So Sad" - and for other readers with hirsutism.

Need advice or have advice to give? Send your questions forDiane Crowley to Box 3254, Chicago 60654. Diane answers letters asfast as she can, but regrets that the volume of mail prohibitspersonal responses to many letters. Have a question for Sunday'sDaily Double? Call (312) 321-2003 to have your message taped.