Watch the 20-year-old man who is aging faster due to a rare genetic disorder
[rumble video_id=v5fleb domain_id=u7nb2]
A 20-year-old man is aging faster due to a rare genetic disorder called Atypical Progeria Syndrome (Non-Classical Progeria).
Harry Crowther, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with Atypical Progeria Syndrome when he was seven years old. He is aging faster due to his rare condition and suffers from ailments which elderly people suffer, such as arthritis.
Harry told Barcroft TV: “Progeria affects my health in several ways – I get a lot of issues which older people tend to have. I have arthritic pain, I have a deterioration of the bones in my fingertips in my hands. I get tired easily.”
“I am small for my height. Basically, everything somebody’s granddad or grandmother will have.”
Harry is the only known male in the world diagnosed with this form of progeria but he has no hair loss and is expected to live a longer life.
Harry said: “Within the Hutchinson-Gilford, they release the toxin Progeria, which makes them age faster, whereas in my genetic defect for some reason it doesn’t release the genetic Progeria, which is very confusing for a lot of people because I’m getting the symptoms of aging faster but I’m technically not genetics wise, which is why I can’t obviously use the classical Progeria treatment.”
“I have to get separate treatment, which hasn’t even been discovered yet.”
Harry is living a normal life, loves travelling and hanging out with his friends and family despite suffering from arthritis.
He said: “I recently went to Japan with my brother Jack. I also have an upcoming trip to Finland. Travelling can be pretty difficult sometimes even though I love it so much. There are obviously some obstacles when it comes towards travelling.”
“But I try like not let it get me down. I try to keep going and just have as much fun as possible.”
“I don’t really think about it, I don’t try to bring any attention to it in my daily life, I usually make fun of it, most of the time. I try to see the brighter side of things.”
He met the first person with Progeria who was a girl named Hayley Okines who had classical Progeria.
The girl told him to spread awareness about the condition.
Harry has now set up a Facebook group to raise awareness about his condition.
Despite his rare condition, Harry is very hopeful and lives a happy life. He says: “I didn’t necessarily feel different. I didn’t feel like an outcast I just knew I was different from everybody else, but I didn’t really feel like that was affecting me anywhere – I still have friends.”
“I don’t let anything get me down. If it’s not in my control, what can I do? So I just take it as it is.”