After doctors predicted her death at 14, teenage girl with body of an old woman celebrates 18th birthday with President (Photos)
Born with a rare and fatal condition that makes her body age several times than normal, this teenager has defied doctor’s prediction and nature itself to clock 18 years.
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Kids with Progeria suffer some common illnesses associated with the elderly like loss of body fat and hair, loss of eyesight, kidney failure, and hip dislocation. They also suffer from old-looking skin, stiff joints and a large head in comparison to their body.
Sufferers rarely go past the age of 13 as they usually die from Atherosclerosis which is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries that chokes off the blood flow causing a heart attack or a stroke.
So, the fact that Ontlametse Phalatse survived to be 18 is a medical miracle in itself.
As the turned 18, the charming and confident lady celebrated her birthday with President Jacob Zuma at his Mahlamba Ndlopfu Presidential House in Pretoria.
"It is just an honour to be here, I am truly blessed. I am out of words. I was so nervous I even posted on Instagram that I don't know what to say, but he is a lovely person and easy to communicate with and may God bless him and give him many days." She said in a video by news24 after celebrating this milestone with SA president.
During the celebration, Zuma decreed that The Jacob Zuma Foundation would look into giving Ontlametse a home, transport for medical checkups and money to go to the U.S.A for medical research.
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