A South African Ontlametse Phalatse is a small girl with a big heart and big personality. She also suffers from progeria, a rare premature aging disease and is the first black child diagnosed with it.
The disease is so rare, she’s one in only 80 children that have it. She wasn’t expected to live past her 13th birthday, but she’s defied logic and celebrated her 17th birthday this month.
Her disease which’s full name is Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome accelerates a child’s growth at eight times the normal rate therefore shortening their lifespan considerably, much like late Robin William’s movie ‘Jack’.
Victims usually die of a stroke or a heart attack.
But Phalatse has refused to let this affect her and even attended her school matric few days ago and shared lovely photos on Instagram.
“Thanks to everyone who made this day a success. I look awesome” she wrote.
You can see the pictures below.
