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.
A Plus-Size Model Silenced Critics That Said She Should Stop Showing Off Her Body
Meet Abby, a 25-year-old woman who loves bikinis and believes they suit her well. Despite hurtful comments, her body-positive attitude encourages people and proves that all bodies are beautiful. Let’s take a look at her daring photos and hear what she has to say.
Meet Abby, a confident body-positive influencer.
Abby Bible, known as @theabbybible on TikTok, is determined to keep a positive attitude and not let negative people bring her down. This size 22 fashion influencer proudly calls herself an “unapologetic fat gal and fashion lover.”
Abby, a fashion enthusiast from New York City, has become really popular on social media with a massive following of 193K devoted fans on TikTok, all thanks to her stylish outfits and positive vibes. Even though her social media pages are filled with love, Abby does encounter some haters from time to time.
Instead of allowing online haters to shake her confidence, Abby confronts them head-on and frequently shares their comments with her followers. In a recent video, Abby donned a stylish red bikini and addressed a mean comment that said: “Fat people shouldn’t wear string bikinis.”
Abby confidently put on her sunglasses, gazed into the camera, and playfully mimed, “I don’t care.” She followed it up with, “If you don’t like it, look away.”
Abby’s video has made a strong impression, gathering thousands of views in no time.
Abby’s video received a positive response with 3.880 likes, 341 comments, and 241 shares on social media. Users were overwhelmingly supportive in their words, expressing their love for Abby and her confidence. Some comments praised her beauty, while others cheered her on. One person even shared that they bought their first bikini because of Abby’s influence.
Abby also shared a photo of herself eating a hot dog, knowing trolls might criticize her. In the caption, she highlighted the power of upsetting some people by simply enjoying a hot dog. In another post, she celebrated reaching 50k followers and expressed gratitude for the positive impact she could make on her audience despite the negativity on the internet.
Abby serves as a reminder that every individual’s body is distinct and beautiful in its own way.
Abby consistently wows her audience with her stylish clothing choices and oozes confidence. As a content creator, she proudly identifies as an “unapologetic fashion lover” in size 22. Her Instagram feed is filled with regular posts featuring her outfits.
On Instagram, Abby opened up about her past hesitations to appear in casual attire without makeup, feeling the need to always look “put together.” She emphasized that everyone is entitled to be casual and comfortable in their style.
Abby boldly embraces her body and confidently flaunts micro-bikinis whenever the opportunity arises.
In a talk show confessional, she passionately declared, “Just because you’re thin, doesn’t mean you’re better than me.” The influencer consistently reinforces her message online by reminding other women that plus-size bodies are attractive and look fantastic in a bikini.
However, Abby sadly faces continuous online trolling due to her body positivity activism, which she attributes to “people hating on individuals with larger bodies.” She responded on Instagram by emphasizing that people don’t have to be in smaller bodies to lead a fulfilling life.
She highlighted the significance of cherished memories with friends and family by the pool or at the beach, stating that life doesn’t magically begin when you lose weight. She emphasized that everyone is valuable and deserves a beautiful life just as they are.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out the article discussing a plus-size model speaking out against hurtful comments that claim her boyfriend is “too attractive” for her.
Preview photo credit theabbybible / Instagram
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