Rochelle Pondare suffers from Progeria, an extremely rare condition that makes her age prematurely
With the wrinkled hands, and face of an elderly woman Rochelle Pondare looks as if she has lived a long life.
But Rochelle, who has just turned eighteen, has a condition that makes her age prematurely.
Just 100 children around the world have the condition and often do not live beyond their early teens.
Progeria is caused by a genetic mutation which causes the cells of a patient's body to malfunction, effecting the tissues and organs, and causing children to age dramatically.
Rochelle has been told her physical age might be close to 144.
But Rochelle is defying the odds, and is already one of the oldest progeria patients in the world.
Like all teenagers she loves pop music, fashion and hanging out with boys, and has a close friendship with a boy from school.
She said: "I'm always with boys, I'm friendly with boys rather than girls.
"I like boys better because they protect me when we go out.
"The boy I love became my best friend in Grade 6.
"I share my problems with him.
"He is my soulmate."
Rochelle says: "My family are the source of my strength and they are also the reason why I try to stand on my own.
"I do have dreams I want to reach, like to have my own house.
"I also want to have my business for my mom and dad so that they will no longer need to work and just stay at home.
"Thats the reason why I have a brave soul.
"It's for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment