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Old Girl from South Africa

Old Girl from South Africa

Diagnosed with Progeria, 12-year-old Ontlametse Phalatse. Old Girl from South Africa

Old Girl from South Africa
This little girl with a big heart and bright smile, calls herself the “first lady” and dreams about the future. However, doctors say that 12-year-old girl named Ontlametse Phalatse has only a couple of years to live.
Noteworthy, South African girl is, in fact, the first black child with this disease. That’s why she calls herself the first lady.
Indeed, Ontlametse is the only black child diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome – a rare and fatal disease, accelerating the aging process. Only two black children suffer from this disease – they both died, one in the U.S., the other in the Netherlands. Children with the disease die from heart failure at the age of 8 to 21 years, suffering from high blood pressure, stroke, angina and heart failure.

South Africa Progeria Girl

Fast aging, Progeria sufferer Ontlametse Phalatse

Progeria sufferer Ontlametse Phalatse reads to the class during reading lessons at the Lorato Primary School in Hebron, near Pretoria, South Africa. 12-year-old Phalatse, who resembles an ageing woman and is half the size of her classmates. Twice a year Phalatse flies in the Research Center for Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, in Boston, where scientists are trying to find a cure for her disease.

Old Girl from South Africa

Ontlametse with her best friend Cuttle Matabe before the lesson

Ontlametse with her best friend Cuttle Matabe before the lesson

Coming home from school

Coming home from school

Her eyes are very sensitive to light

Her eyes are very sensitive to light

Aging fast, Ontlametse in her room in the style of Hannah Montana

Aging fast, Ontlametse in her room in the style of Hannah Montana

Phalatse reads to the class

Phalatse reads to the class

With her mother Bella at her home in Hebron

With her mother Bella at her home in Hebron

Diagnosed with Progeria Girl

Diagnosed with Progeria Girl

Among classmates, South African Progeria Girl

Among classmates, South African Progeria Girl

scientists are trying to find a cure for her disease

Scientists are trying to find a cure for her disease. South Africa Progeria Girl

Primary School in Hebron, near Pretoria, South Africa

Primary School in Hebron, near Pretoria, South Africa

resembles an ageing woman

African Progeria Girl

resembles an ageing woman

A girl suffering Progeria

resembles an ageing woman

Twice a year Phalatse flies in the Research Center for Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, in Boston, where scientists are trying to find a cure for her disease

www.ontlametse.co.za