In a small village tucked away in the heart of rural India, a heart-wrenching tale of prejudice and misunderstanding unfolds. The protagonist of this story is a young boy, his innocent spirit overshadowed by a cruel label imposed upon him by his community. He is shunned, not for his actions or character, but for an arbitrary physical trait that has led him to be considered a “werewolf.”
The unnamed tot’s arms, face and back are covered in a layer of thick black hair that will coarsen as he gets older.
And new mother Manisha Sambhaji Raut, 22, from, Pune, central India, is heartbroken that her son has inherited the same genetic condition that has blighted her life.
She said: “I always felt disgusted when I saw myself in the mirror and now I wonder how my child will cope with the same trauma.
“My sisters and I were always teased and often nicknamed ghost, bear and monkey. To know my son will also go through the pain and suffering I went through breaks my heart.”
The five-month-old baby boy, yet to be named, has inherited a rare gene which has been passed down from Manisha’s father.
There is no known cure for Werewolf Syndrome, otherwise known as hypertrichosis universalis.It is so rare only one in a billion people are affected.Manisha added: “I was happy when I delivered a baby boy but when I realised he suffered the same syndrome as me I was very upset. I was shattered.“I wondered if I was cursed or if I made a mistake in life and God was punishing me and my son.“But he is my baby and I will love him unconditionally the way my mother took care of me, no matter how he looks.”
Since then, they met with doctors and found a hair removal cream to use every four days to remove their heavy facial hair.
She added: “My mother-in-law has already forced me to apply the same cream on my son but his skin is too sensitive.“
He is a small baby and is not ready for such creams. He cried in pain as his skin turned red.”Manisha is now determined to ensure her son has a happy childhood and will not be bullied like she and her sisters were.
She continued: “My only wish is that my child will grow up like a normal child.
“We lived a difficult childhood and we were locked away because people couldn’t cope with the way we looked.
“I can only hope people will be different and kinder towards my son.”
