Here's a quick bio on me. My name is Jerry McDowell, 39 father of 4(1boy, 3 girls). Originally from Eddyville, IA but currently have roots in Altoona,IA. Family is everything to me and I work 2 jobs to provide for my kids. Over the last 6 years I've been more known for my beard, I've been growing my beard since October 2012 and it has greatly become apart of my identity. And for the last year and a half I was growing my hair out for halloween. It really has occurred to me that I haven't always been able to grow my hair and here's why.... Circa June 1981 I was a 19 month old energetic little boy and climbed the kitchen counter and accidentally pulled a hot fry daddy down ontop of myself. I was burned head to toe in different areas, with my head and face taking the most of it. From what I've been told my family was all called to the hospital as I was not projected to make it through the night. They were wrong. Through skin grafts and multiple surgeries I pulled through. Then they said I wouldn't have much of a social life and have no more than a C average in school. Once again they were wrong. There was a time that I wore a hard plastic mask to keep my face formed, and a longer period of time that I wore a wig. You see at that time I didn't have hair from ear to ear on the front of my scalp nor would I ever due to the scarring. That's where the shriners children's hospitals really stepped up. You see from multiple surgeries and stretching the scalp from the back to the front I now have a full head of hair. And with hair in the front coming from the back I should be able to beat the front Male pattern baldness that runs in my family. So here's what I'd like to do. I'd like to raise money to give back to the shriners hospitals. This is very important to me because everything that they did for me got me to where I am today and it didn't cost my family anything. Its time I give something back. I'd like to raise as much as I can and go to Chicago and present them with the check. In doing so if I can reach my goal of $2500 I will Facebook live not only me getting a normal haircut but also I will shave my beloved beard. Because thanks to this great hospital I have the opportunity to grow my hair and beard. So please share and help me reach my goal, thank you and good bless.