Thai woman, 29, with rare Benjamin Button syndrome looks like an 80-year-old

A Thai woman who looks like a pensioner due to an extremely rare Benjamin Button' illness is set to have surgery to finally look young again. Yupha Wongsikhun, 29, suffers from the one-in-four-million 'Benjamin Button' disease called cutis laxa, which has left her skin saggy and wrinkled despite her young age. The rare genetic disorder causes the body's connective tissue to droop due to a lack of elasticity. Because of her appearance, Yupha said she was bullied by her classmates since she was a little girl. She said: 'Before I turned 29, I remember when I was in nursery school, I didn't know anything and people bullied me. I didn't understand the insults. I only understood those harsh words in middle school. Those words were: you old thing, you wrinkly thing, you wrinkly face. 'I couldn't stand those insults then. When I grew older, I thought, ‘will there be a chance for me to be just like everybody else?' Yupha also admitted that she had thought of taking her own life due to the harsh comments, but held on as she hoped there would be a treatment for her condition. After consulting with doctors at the SLC Hospital in Bangkok, she is now scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery to remove the loose skin on her face. Yupha said: 'Now there's an opportunity for me so I wanted to give something good to myself. I decided to try at least once in my life. There were kind people lending their helping hand to me, so I thought there's no harm in accepting it.' Cutis laxa, which is Latin for 'loose skin', is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder characterised by loose and inelastic skin. The condition is either acquired or inherited, and is estimated to affect one in four million people. There are currently no cures for cutis laxa, and treatment is focused on managing the symptoms. - TRANSCRIPT - 0.00 Hello my name is Yupha Wongsikhun. I am 29 years old, and I have Progeria. I have had this since birth 0.11 I have it all over my body. But for me to say it's everywhere on my body would be wrong. It's only certain parts. Because here my skin is wrinkly, but the inside of my body must be normal 0.22 Because my hair is not white with age and I still menstruate. People ask me whether I take medicine or put cream for my skin 0.32 I don't take any medicine. Can I call this my congenital disease? I'm not so sure. Because it's only outside of my body 0.42 I only had to get my eyes checked. I see the doctor a lot. I see them four or five times a month. I see the doctor with the same problem. My eyelids are droopy 0.53 Just like an old person. My eyelids are falling over and it shut my eyes. I went for consultation and they said I should cut parts of my eyelids and have it pulled 1.04 Both up and down. So I did exactly what they asked me to. When I was in high school, I didn't have eyelashes 1.13 I had to pluck them out. I'd have tears flowing because the eyelashes would prick my eyeballs 1.20 Before I turned 29, I remember when I was in kindergarten. I didn't know anything, and people bullied me 1.31 I didn't understand the insults. I only understood those harsh words in middle school. Those words were: you old thing, you wrinkly thing, you wrinkly face 1.48 I couldn't stand those insults then. When I'm older I thought ‘will there be a chance for me to be just like everybody else?' 1.59 ‘Will I ever see the firmer version of myself' I went to SLC hospital. They connected me. And so I thought there could be a chance for me 2.13 I never thought of it before. Now there's an opportunity for me so I wanted to give something good to myself 2.21 So I decided to try. At least once in my life. There were kind people lending their helping hand to me so I thought there's no harm in accepting it 2.33 I'm happy they notice somebody who's been through a lot. I'm truly thankful for your help 2.46 I don't need to look like a beauty queen. Just an improvement would be enough. I'm not expecting much 2.55 I believe everything will pass. As for me, I don't really take things to heart. When somebody says mean things, I won't hold back 3.10 They say something, I'll say back. If they get physical and I will too. I have hands and feet just like anybody. When I was a kid, I used a broomstick and hit them 3.22 I want people who have the same problem as me or are 'special', to not give up and don't hurt themselves 3.31 I must accept that I was suicidal too. I was home alone then, and my parents were out 3.46 I wonder why I have to go through these things and why they have to say mean things to me 3.55 I had a rope. I'm not saying people should follow me. Speaking about this makes me cry 4.04 I remember saying to myself ‘If I died it would be good.' Thinking about it now, I shouldn't be having those thoughts 4.21 To hurt myself. My parents don't know what I had to go through. If I died, I wonder how my parents would feel 4.33 And people who bullied me would be so happy. When people bully me, they don't last. They only do it because it's fun for their mouth 4.41 I shouldn't have taken those words and overthought. You shouldn't care about those things and only care for those who love you 4.50 People who give you importance. Before I became 29 it wasn't easy. But my parents don't know because I never tell them 5.01 I keep everything to myself. When I say it, I feel pain. People say things and it's fun for them. 5.17 But I keep those things and overthink it. I always think about it 5.25 Even now I think I'm strong enough. I see the comments online and feel like these people still exist 5.37 They still speak like that. The feeling won't go. I still feel it