A Louisiana woman is aging twice as fast as ordinary people. Her condition is caused by a rare and incurable disease - Progeria. She is now considered one of the oldest Progeria patients in the world.
Challi Muguira is only 30 years old, but she looks over 60. A woman from early childhood suffered from an incomprehensible disease, but since her progeria does not develop in the same way as in the classical form, her condition has been a complete mystery for doctors for many years.
Progeria is a rare genetic disease characterized by premature aging, delayed physical development, short stature, a very small “bird's” face, sparse hair, etc. In the world, no more than 350 cases of progeria have been officially diagnosed, and in the classical form, the disease rarely allows patients to live up to at least 13-14 years.
Challi lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and her unusual illness and strange appearance did not become an obstacle to her personal life. In November 2017, Challi married Tony whom she met online. The man is well aware of his wife's diagnosis, but this does not scare him.
“My aging is going much slower than in normal cases, but the doctor still convinced me that it would be a miracle if I lived to be at least 30 years old. Now, after marriage, I look at everything in an even more positive way and I want to help people like me, especially children,”the woman says,“Progeria gave me a thin, pointed nose, bad hair, bulging eyes and I certainly don’t look his 30 years."
For the first time, her parents suspected that the girl was sick with something when she was 2 years old. She fell off her bike and the doctors said she had injuries to her fingers like old people. But after that, it took another 14 years with multiple examinations and analyzes before she was diagnosed with progeria.
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“At 16, hearing that you are rapidly aging is definitely not what you want. But since then I have accepted a lot and have learned to live such a life. Including with the help of their amazing doctors. When I was 15, everyone thought I was in my 30s, and when I was even younger, I was given all 21 and it was fun when it turned out that I could drink alcohol without restrictions."
However, Challi's life in those years was not so fun. At school, she suffered from attacks by bullies who teased and insulted her. It was only after Challi met Tony that she truly became happy.
Tony himself is also disabled, he is blind and therefore he does not care about the appearance of his wife, he fell in love with her for her spiritual qualities.
“We support each other and help in everything. We try to spend time together more often and seem to take thoughts from each other, "says Tony," Living with Challi changed me and my views on many things. She's the only one in millions."
Challi does not know how much is still measured out by fate and therefore tries to live "to the fullest" and enjoy every day.
