An 11-year-old "werewolf" boy who desperately seeks a cure for his condition is baffling medical experts.
Pruthviraj Patil is one of 50 in the world who suffers from hypertrichosis, a rare genetic condition known as Werewolf Syndrome.
As a result his face and body is covered in thick, matted hair. But he is hoping doctors will one day find a cure for his ailment.
Born in the Indian district of Sangli, near Bombey, he hardly ever leaves his village because of his fear of being traunted by strangers.
The only parts of his body that are not covered with hair are the palms of his hands and soles of his feet.
The son of a well off farmer, his parents have tried homeopathy, traditional Ayurvedic remedies and laser surgery. But none of them have worked.
"Why did God do this to us," his 32-year-old mother Anita pleads. "He looks so odd and whever we go people throng to see him."
Pruthviraj says he is anxious to get the hair removed but even after laser treatment it simply grows back. The doctors don't have any answers to his predicament.
He appealed to the doctors to help find him a permanent cure.
I really feel sorry for people like this. How in the world do you ever live a normal life when people are constantly staring at you and maybe also be a little afraid of you? That's just sad.
I know this sounds weird, but it's kind of a shame that freak shows don't exist any more. Yes, they can be seen as degrading, but they were also a sanctuary for people who didn't fit in anywhere else.
I know this sounds weird, but it's kind of a shame that freak shows don't exist any more. Yes, they can be seen as degrading, but they were also a sanctuary for people who didn't fit in anywhere else.
I know this sounds weird, but it's kind of a shame that freak shows don't exist any more. Yes, they can be seen as degrading, but they were also a sanctuary for people who didn't fit in anywhere else.
Did JD announce he's cancelling his shows?!?
not yet!
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"And like Web, I enjoy throwing JR under the bus. Problem is, it's usually under the special bus that I ride every day". Ghostdancer 12-18-09