Monday, June 24, 2013

'I'm 16 but look like I'm 60': Teenager with rare condition which makes her look middle-aged

Tough: Zara Hartshorn has endured a difficult childhood suffering from a condition which makes her appear middle-aged
A teenager who suffers from a rare genetic condition which makes her look middle-aged has been given new confidence thanks to pioneering facelift surgery.
Zara Hartshorn, 16, from Rotherham, south Yorkshire, had to endure years of cruel taunts and even physical abuse because of her appearance.
She inherited lipodystrophy - which makes her skin looked wrinkled and twisted - from her mother Tracey Gibson who also suffers from the illness.Her skin lacked elasticity and looked wrinkled and twisted.Endured years of bullying at school being called 'monkey' and 'granny'.Once made to get off a bus because driver would not believe she was a child.

Zara, aged seven, said she hated school because of bullying by other childrenZara, right, was bullied as a child with taunts such as 'grandma' or 'monkey'
But after hearing of her condition, a top surgeon in the US offered to perform cosmetic surgery for free. It has proved to be a complete success and Zara has felt able to start a relationship with new boyfriend Ricky Andrews and is even keen to go to college.
Found love: On top of her facelift, Zara has also met a new boyfriend Ricky Andrews
Found love after her facelift, Zara has also met a new boyfriend Ricky Andrews

Source: Daily mail...Read full story here

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