In a small Brazilian town, there resides an extraordinary duo of identical twins named Elis and Eloá. Their story serves as a beacon of resilience and the remarkable power of the human spirit. Afflicted with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare and fatal genetic disorder causing accelerated aging, these twins confront their adversities with remarkable grace and strength, earning admiration from people worldwide.
Understanding Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome
HGPS stands as an exceptionally rare disorder, impacting roughly 1 in 20 million newborns globally. Marked by rapid aging from early childhood, individuals with progeria often display growth delays, diminished body fat and hair, prematurely aged skin, joint stiffness, and severe cardiovascular issues. Typically, those with HGPS have an average life expectancy of about 14.5 years, though some may extend into their late teens or early twenties. This syndrome gained public attention through the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The condition is caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene, which produces the lamin A protein responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the cell nucleus. The mutation results in the production of an abnormal version of the protein, called progerin, which causes cells to become unstable and die prematurely.
Elis and Eloá’s journey
Elis and Eloá swiftly captured attention because of their distinctive medical condition. Despite the physical hurdles imposed by progeria, their contagious smiles and steadfast optimism have emerged as beacons of hope and inspiration. Guilherme and Elismar, the twins’ parents, have dedicated their lives to offering the utmost care for their daughters, striving to ensure they experience as normal a life as feasible within the confines of their condition.
The family’s path has been far from easy. Their daily life is filled with demanding medical routines, including physiotherapy, aimed at addressing joint stiffness and preserving mobility. Despite these challenges, Elis and Eloá approach each day with remarkable bravery and an unparalleled enthusiasm for life, which is truly remarkable.
A global community of support
Elis and Eloá’s narrative has touched hearts worldwide, sparking a surge of solidarity from individuals and groups committed to promoting awareness about progeria and backing research endeavors. The Progeria Research Foundation, a pivotal entity in this realm, has played a vital role in propelling research forward and furnishing assistance to families grappling with the condition.
Through social media platforms, the twins’ journey is shared with a broad audience, fostering a sense of community and solidarity. Their family’s updates, documenting both the highs and lows of their daily lives, provide invaluable insights into the realities of living with progeria, while also spreading a message of hope and perseverance.
Advances in research and hope for the future
In recent years, there have been remarkable advancements in comprehending and addressing progeria. A notable milestone occurred in 2020 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for the first progeria treatment: lonafarnib. This medication has demonstrated efficacy in prolonging the lives of children with progeria by mitigating the accumulation of progerin in cells, thereby decelerating the disease’s advancement.
Though a cure remains elusive, ongoing research presents promising prospects. Scientists are delving into gene-editing methodologies, like CRISPR, as potential means to rectify the genetic mutation at its root. For families such as Elis and Eloá’s, these breakthroughs offer a ray of hope for the future.
And in our other article, we recounted the remarkable story of a girl born without a nose, affectionately dubbed “Voldemort,” who refuses to let her differences define her.
The dog keeps coming to a woman’s house and just slept and one day this note was attached to his collar
When a woman came home one day, she found a retriever. The dog was well cared for, not hungry and had a collar, obviously had an owner. When the woman entered the house, the dog followed her, simply lay down on the carpet by the door and fell fast asleep. And when he woke up, he left quietly the next day, the woman was waiting for the same picture, and after he fell asleep again, the dog kept coming to a woman’s house as soon as he slept, and one day this note was stuck on his collar And it went on like that for several weeks.
If you know the reason behind this strange behavior of the dog, you will be surprised “He started visiting my house. When you looked at him, it was clear he had a family because he was well groomed and well fed “I petted him and he followed me home, laid down on the carpet and fell fast asleep. And after he slept, he went to the door and I let him out. ” The dog kept coming to a woman’s house and just sleeping and one day this note was stuck on his collar “The next day he came back, greeted me, came into the house and fell asleep on the carpet again.
This lasted several weeks. ” “I was interested in this situation and decided to find out why this was happening and who the owners of this dog were. I decided to write a note and pin it to the collar. This is what I wrote: “I would like to know who owns this beautiful dog and ask if you know that your dog comes to my house every day, sleeps for several hours and leaves again?”
How to cut a dog’s head? The dog kept coming to a woman’s house and just sleeping and one day this note was stuck on his collar “The next day the dog came back and on his collar was a note with the answer: “Look, she lives in a house with 6 kids. The youngest are not even three years old. He just wants to sleep. And if you don’t mind, can I come with him tomorrow? “
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