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.
Did Sandra Bullock’s Son ‘Finally Confirm the Rumors’?
Online advertisements about the Oscar-winning actress and her son had appeared in various forms at the beginning of 2021.
In February 2021, a misleading online advertising appeared about Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock’s son. It read: “[Photos] Sandra Bullock’s Son Finally Confirms the Rumors.” The picture chosen by the ad’s creator showed her with a serious facial expression as if some sort of bad and damaging rumors were revealed.
In that story, we reported:
Despite what the ad said about Bullock’s son looking “familiar” to readers, it’s unlikely that anyone recognized her children because they are not public figures. The ad also claimed that Bullock’s son was “all grown up.” This was false.
Hollywood celebrity Sandra Bullock is loved by many for her passionate acting in many films. One life-long role Sandra took on was being a mother to her first child, an adopted son named Louis Bardot. In 2010, the Oscar winner was already in a four-year process of adopting a child with her then-husband Jesse James when she found out about his many affairs.
After their split, Bullock herself continued with the adoption of then-three-month-old cutie Louis from New Orleans. In 2015, the “Birdbox” (2018) star grew her brood and adopted her daughter, Laila, from Louisiana.
We also previously reported on similarly misleading ads about Tom Selleck purportedly “finally” confirming some rumors. Selleck’s trustworthy reputation and no-nonsense onscreen characters might be the reason why his face appears (without his permission) in so many misleading online ads.
Leave a Reply