A Young Boy in India Afflicted by a Rare Disease That Ages Him Prematurely, Eliciting Sympathy from All
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Journey with Progeria-Afflicted Son
In a quiet village in southern Bangladesh, a unique and challenging story unfolds. Meet Bayezid Hossain, a four-year-old boy who defies conventional appearance and norms due to a rare aging disorder known as Progeria. This disorder causes the body to age at an astonishing rate, about eight times faster than normal, making Bayezid appear as an elderly man trapped in a child’s body.
Bayezid’s journey is reminiscent of the character Benjamin Button from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and the Brad Pitt movie, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” His physical appearance belies his advanced intelligence, but it also brings him loneliness as children his age are reluctant to play with him, and community members often avoid him.
Born in 2012 at a government maternity hospital, Bayezid’s condition left doctors baffled, as they had no idea how to treat him. His mother, Tripti Khatun, who was only 18 at the time, recalls the shock and heartbreak of seeing her son for the first time. He looked like an alien, with skin and bones that resembled those of an elderly person.
Bayezid’s condition is further complicated by a form of cutis laxa, a rare connective tissue disorder that causes his skin to hang loosely in folds. Despite these challenges, Tripti marvels at her son’s intelligence and conversation skills, but it breaks her heart that he looks so different from other children.
Bayezid does not attend school, and he spends his days playing with his ball, drawing on paper, and even fixing his broken toys. His father, Lovelu Hossain, works as a laborer, earning a modest income of Rs 5,000 (£50) per month. The family has spent approximately Rs 4 Lakh (£4,000) seeking treatment from various doctors and healers, but they have yet to find a cure for his condition.
As time has passed, Bayezid’s neighbors have gradually grown accustomed to his presence and have affectionately dubbed him the “old man” of the village. Still, the family receives little support from the local community, and some people even question their abilities as parents since Tripti and Lovelu are first cousins—a common practice in rural parts of Bangladesh and South Asia.
Consulting physician DeƄashis Bishwas from Magura Central Hospital believes that Bayezid is suffering from both Progeria and cutis laxa. He fears that Bayezid may not live beyond 15 years, as his condition is incredibly challenging to treat. Dr. Bishwas recommends specialized care at Dhaka Medical College Hospital or Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka, as there is no treatment available locally.
While there may be no cure in sight, Bayezid’s family clings to hope, cherishing their extraordinary son’s remarkable intelligence and vibrant personality. Despite the odds, they continue to search for a solution, knowing that, like every parent, they long for their child to lead a long and healthy life, praying that a miracle will one day save them from their heartbreak.
Hits: 3
