Petero Byakatonda, a 13-year-old boy from a remote village
in Uganda, suffers from a genetic disorder called Crouzon’s syndrome. The illness affects around
one in 10,000 newborns and is normally treated within a few months of birth. But because of Petero’s isolation, he was diagnosed only recently, and it is
incredible that he is still alive.
All his life, Petero’s
misshapen head and
bulging eyes have meant that he has been feared and tormented by other children in his village.
“They used to bully me all the time,” he says. His mother, Dorothea, explains that kids used to throw stones at Petero every time he walked to the well. He was treated like a person at home but an animal everywhere else. Now, however, a Dallas-based surgical team offers hope.
After Surgery:
Two months after his first operation,
the change in Petero is hard to believe. His head now looks normal, but perhaps the most amazing transformation is in his personality. Whereas he used to be a shy, reclusive boy, ashamed to show his face in public,
he is now playful, excited and outgoing.
All his life, Petero’s misshapen head and bulging eyes have meant that he has been feared and tormented by other children in his village. “They used to bully me all the time,” he says. His mother, Dorothea, explains that kids used to throw stones at Petero every time he walked to the well. He was treated like a person at home but an animal everywhere else. Now, however, a Dallas-based surgical team offers hope.
After Surgery:
Two months after his first operation, the change in Petero is hard to believe. His head now looks normal, but perhaps the most amazing transformation is in his personality. Whereas he used to be a shy, reclusive boy, ashamed to show his face in public, he is now playful, excited and outgoing.
9 comments:
I would like to know how Petero is doing now. He's a very brave boy and has been through a lot, to say the least. I hope he's doing well, and is happy. When his chin grows out more as he gets older, he's going to be a pretty good-looking young man. He's already a nice-looking, cute boy now, thanks to that miracle surgery he had.
@GlassLady: good looking? what, are you kidding? that's a terrible thing to say. this kid will never be "good looking" and to call him a "cute boy" just sounds condescending.
I will never understand comments such as made by Melissa and Anonymous. Bless the medical professionals and aids who helped make a more normal life for this child.
I just saw this story again today. I hope he and his family are doing well after the transformation. He wanted to return to the US. I hope he will today or someday,
What twats you are taking the mick out of this poor child, yes he is good looking now but I am sure in his parents eyes he was beautiful before, every child is precious.
He does look better than before, but it's unfortunately true that his disability is still visible.
I want to know how is he doing. what are his planing for rest of his life?
He is now playing for Bolton Wanderers F.C
what is that thing
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