At the age of five, Brock Brown from Michigan was diagnosed with gigantism. Recently, a 19-year-old boy reached a record mark - he grew to 2 meters and 33 centimeters. And Brock, who was awarded the title of the tallest teenager in the world (classification under 18), continues to grow, adding 15 cm per year on average.
If Brock continues at the same pace, he will very soon outgrow the tallest man in the world - Sultan Kösen, whose height is 2 m 51 cm.
In the photo: Brock with his family - Aunt Stacy, Mom Darcy and Grandmother Joy
The boy was diagnosed with Sotos syndrome, or cerebral gigantism syndrome, when he was only five years old. Doctors told his mother that the boy would not survive adolescence.
This is a hereditary disease, and nothing can be done about it. It is not even known if Brock will ever stop growing.
In the photo: 5-year-old Brock with his peers
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In addition to gigantism, Brock has difficulty learning and acquiring skills, heart problems, the young man has a curvature of the spine and stenosis of the spinal canal (narrowing of the central spinal canal).
In the photo: Brock with his cousin Savannah
Despite Brock's health problems, doctors are confident that he can lead a normal and long life.
Brock was born with only one kidney, so he should not take pain relievers, despite the fact that he constantly suffers from severe back pain. “It feels like they are hitting on the back with a huge tennis racket. I dream that the doctors will quickly figure out how to help me with pain."
Brock and his mom Darcy recently went to see a specialist at the Arkansas Children's Center. Although Dr. Bradley Schafer was unable to do anything to alleviate the constant pain, he made them happy that, in his opinion, Brock would live as long as an ordinary person. With gigantism, life expectancy is short.
Financially, being one of the tallest people in the world is also tough. Clothes, shoes and even oversized socks are sewn to order. The bed and a special chair for Brock cost a thousand dollars each.
According to the boy's mother, local authorities help them. A couple of times they collected money for them - about 10 thousand dollars. All this went to clothes and shoes, from which Brock quickly grows.
Despite all the difficulties, Brock and his mother are happy and look to the future with hope. The young man would love to have a job - in a sporting goods store, for example. Darcy is not going to put pressure on his son in anything, she wants the boy to be just happy.
In high school, Brock's height was already 182 cm.
In addition, the young man has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and outbursts of uncontrollable anger.
Darcy says that her son is a cheerful and very kind guy. "His heart is as big as his body."
Darcy with newborn Brock
