4-year-Old Boy Growing Second Skeleton!

A 4-year-old boy in Watertown, N.Y., is one of only 600 confirmed cases worldwide of a debilitating genetic skeletal condition.

Sufferers of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or FOP for short, slowly develop a “second skeleton” with bone material forming across joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissue. The body is eventually frozen in calcium.

By the time Shane Terry is about 30, he will be restricted to a wheelchair. There is no cure for the condition.

So sad!!!!!!

At only 4, Shane doesn’t understand that his rumbunctious behavior could harm him. A fall could provoke bone growth at the injury site. Because of this, Shane’s mother, Kimberly, initially attempted to shelter the boy, but through the support of an online FOP group she learned that she needs to let Shane be as much of a “normal” child while he still can.

Shane’s twin was stillborn 20 weeks into pregnancy and Shane already shows signs of the condition with a deformed vertebrae, pinky fingers, and big toes.

The average life expectancy for a person with FOP is 40 years.

Even sadder!

For now, all Shane has to think about is being a kid.

You know what they say, y’all, carpe diem!

[Image by Colleen White via Watertown Daily Times.]