Woman who 'looks 50 years old' due to rare condition celebrates 18th birthday
A woman who hit the headlines due to her rare condition that has seen her age prematurely has just celebrated her 18th birthday – but people say she looks like she’s “in her 50s”.
Raizel Calago, who has just graduated high school last week, is a teenager but her skin and changing face shape makes her look much older.
So much so, that people often say her 37-year-old mum, Joela Omagap Calago, looks younger.
Just four years ago, Raizel was a healthy teenager but slowly began to develop unusual symptoms such as red itchy patches, which the family first believed to be an allergy.
Joela rushed her child to hospital where doctors discovered she had an extremely rare condition.
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Raizel Calago during her 18th birthday party (Jam Press)Years later, she received a diagnosis of progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.
The progressive genetic disorder causes children to age rapidly, usually in their first two years of life.
But, when it begins in the teen years or early adulthood, it is known as Werner syndrome, causing premature aging and conditions typical of old age, such as cataracts, diabetes, heart problems, or osteoporosis.
Raizel has just graduated high school (Jam Press)
Raizel before she suffered from the condition (Jam Press)"We were so sad and worried,” Joela, from Salasang Arakan, Cotabato, The Philippines, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“We didn't know what to do.
"Raizel feels shy to face other people.
Raizel (middle) with her family (father second from left and mother Joela, 2nd from right) (Jam Press)"There are some teenagers who bully her but there are some who love and give her joy.”
For Joela, one of the difficult aspects of seeing her child go through this condition is that people often bully her or say she looks older than her mum.
She said: "There are many people who think that I look younger than Raizel
Raizel with her pals (Jam Press)"It hurts for me. I don't want to hear that some people think that."
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Despite the challenges, Raizel recently celebrated her 18th birthday and is looking forward to her next adventure, having just graduated high school.
Unfortunately however, there is still no cure for her condition.
Raizel was a healthy teenager but slowly began to develop unusual symptoms like red itchy patches (Jam Press)Joela added: “She recently had a birthday party for her 18th.
“But there is still no treatment on her condition.
“Her party was one of the most memorable, because of how many of her friends that she invited had come to witness his special night.
“So many of our neighbours came too, and said how mature and responsible she is being an older sister too.”
Raizel during the celebrations (Jam Press)Raizel is also soon to go off to college, moving away from home.
Joela said: “She is nervous for her first day of college, as she feels like she might be bullied because of the way she looks.
“But we know that as the time goes by she’ll make friends and meet people who’ll make her feel special.
“She’s super academic and she dreams of getting a Bachelor of science in hospitality management.”
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