The beard was never far from my mind. Twice daily, I shaved. I blended foundation into my skin with a practiced touch. I hoped for the miracle that never showed its face: smooth skin instead of the prickly surface I felt every time I ran my hand across my chin and down my cheeks. It took years of struggle, of ducking and diving, to finally obtain a diagnosis and treatment. It took love to pull myself from the shadows and into the sun. BEARDED LADY is a tale of hiding and revealing, of secrets and salvation, of how what we believe sets us apart actually unites us. It' s the story of what happens when you can no longer push down your deepest humiliation and instead must truly face the world.