On Saturday a man and a couple of friends came to by some chicken. with them was one of the most beautiful little girls I've ever seen. she had the prettiest little smile and just thinking about her makes me want to cry. see, she has a very rear disease called Progeria...
Now Progeria(also known as "Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome")is an extremely rare, severe, genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age. The disorder has a very low incidence and occurs in about one in every eight million live births. Those born with progeria typically live about thirteen years. It is a genetic condition that occurs as a new mutation and is not usually inherited.
Progeria was first described in 1886 by Jonathan Hutchinson and in 1897 by Hastings Gilford. The condition was later named Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome.
There is no known cure. Few people with progeria exceed 13 years of age. At least 90% of patients die from complications of atherosclerosis, such as heart attack or stroke.
Mental development is not affected. The development of symptoms is comparable to aging at a rate eight to ten times faster than normal, although certain age-related conditions do not occur. Specifically, patients show no neurodegeneration or cancer predisposition. They do not develop physically mediated "wear and tear" conditions commonly associated with aging, like cataracts and osteoarthritis.
Although there may not be any successful treatments for Progeria itself, there are treatments for the problems it causes, such as arthritic, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems.
A study from the Netherlands has shown an incidence of 1 in 4 million births. Currently, there are between 35 and 45 known cases in the world. Approximately 100 cases have been formally identified in medical history.
Seeing this little smiling angel made me once again realize that we only have one life to live and we must live it as best we can.
so as irole down the t/paper i would like to thank wikipedia for never seazing to amaze me...
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A very well-known case here in South Africa was little Fransie Geringer. In the early 1980's (I think it was in 1981) the Sunshine Foundation sponsored a trip to Disneyland for him. When the parents of other Progeria sufferers heard that he was coming to the USA, they arranged to visit Disneyland at the same time so that he can have one day in his life feeling "normal" by having children who look just like him, around him. Every year since then, a reunion for Progeria sufferers is held at Disneyland. I think a suitable commemoration of little Fransie and all those other "little old" people who are not with us any longer.
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