News and Society

The human population has exceeded 7 billion. Unfortunately, there are many within our society dealing with human abnormalities. Some abnormalities occur at birth, while others are acquired later in life. Regardless of their unusual differences, many are still able to live a normal life. Many will try to correct their odd look with surgery, while others choose to stay the same. In fact, there are people who choose to take advantage of their abnormal conditions to make money. They often have full-time jobs working at circuses and freak shows. Their eccentric appearances certainly draw attention from the curious around the world. Here are examples of human abnormalities.

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis: Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis is an extremely rare hereditary skin disorder. It is associated with a high risk of skin cancer. Those with the condition are susceptible to acquiring a skin virus called human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The HPV infections cause growth of scaly macules (discoloration of the skin) and papules (elevations of the skin varying in size) usually on the hands and feet. The onset of the condition occurs between the ages of 1-20. However, it is occasionally present in middle-age. Unfortunately, the condition worsens over time. Lifelong eruptions of macules and wart-like papules develop on the face, neck and body. Skin lesions are usually spread over the body.

Dede Koswara is known all over the world as "The Tree Man". He has a rare combination of conditions causing large growths to spread all over his body. His condition caused him to lose his marriage, job and independence. Dede took action to correct his extremely abnormal condition by getting surgery. The surgery was very successful. Dede was able to use hands as well as walk pain-free for the first time in over ten years. After leaving the hospital, he returned home and celebrated his amazing surgical transformation.

Diprosopus: Diprosopus is an extremely rare congenital (existing at birth) disorder. Part or all of the face is duplicated on the head. This rare condition is usually not caused from fusion or incomplete separation of two embryos. The usual cause is a protein called sonic hedgehog homolog (SHH). The protein, along with genes are a big factor in signaling facial bone patterns during embryo development. It eventually starts to excessively widen facial features as well as duplicate facial structures. The wider the face gets, the more duplication of structures. The features often look like a mirror image. Most infants born with disprosopus are stillborn. There are very few cases of survivors living past minutes or hours after birth.

Progeria: Progeria is a rare genetic abnormality that occurs in children. The physical signs and symptoms give them a look of premature old age. The disorder is so rare it only occurs in one in every eight million live births. Those born with Progeria usually live only to their teens and early twenties. Infancy is usually the time when children develop their first symptoms. Low body weight for a child's age is an early symptom. Following infancy, additional symptoms occur around 18-24 months. Symptoms include limited body growth, hair loss on head and body, pinched nose, small jaw and small face. As the child ages, their condition causes wrinkled skin, loss of eyesight, kidney failure and heart problems. Their bones become fragile like an elderly person. They also begin to lose body fat and muscle. Leon Botha was (4 June 1985-5 June 2011) one of the world's oldest survivors of Progeria. He became a full-time painter after graduating high school. He also became a hip hop artist and DJ in South Africa. He never let his abnormal condition stop him from achieving his dreams.

Regardless if we have abnormalities or not, we all have our own look that makes us unique. Unfortunately, human abnormalities can set one apart from others. Their eccentric differences often draw attention which often leads to them being teased and laughed at. Some even have a difficult time finding a normal job. It is amazing that many still stay resilient in not letting their unusual looks hinder their desire to live a normal life.

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