The Brother And Sister Who Age Too Fast | BORN DIFFERENT
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Published 2019-01-15
DESPITE there being only 155 known cases worldwide, a brother and sister BOTH live with progeria – an incredibly rare disease that makes them age too fast. Siblings Michiel and Amber Vandeweert have progeria, a genetic condition characterised by the signs of accelerated, and premature, ageing. Experiencing problems with their bones, teeth and hair growth, patients with progeria have a very short life expectancy with most not seeing out their teen years. But that hasn’t stopped Michiel, 20, and Amber, 12, living their best life together - the inspirational siblings from Belgium have truly defied all odds up to this point and show no signs of slowing down. Daredevil, Michiel, stands at just 4 foot 1 inch and loves to race around a track at Go Karting and snowboard with his friends. Amber, 3 foot 7 inches, has a great a passion for dancing and describes herself as playful. When Michiel was born, doctors said it was verging on impossible for the Vandeweert family to give birth to a second child who also had the disease, and so when Amber was diagnosed eight years after her brother, everyone fell into a state of shock. No one expected the siblings to be in this position, but they remain thankful to this day that they have each other as their greatest support. To follow their story, click here:
www.facebook.com/Ik-ben-michiel-204907719690404/
www.instagram.com/michielvandeweert/?hl=nl
Video Credits:
Videographer / director: Mert Beken
Producer: Danny Baggott, James Thorne
Editor: Beth Angus
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All Comments (21)
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"The oldest child with progeria was 26, so I'm going to try and beat that record" This is the beauty of strength in human nature <3
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I love how the brother goes bowling with his friends and sister at the same time. Most brothers don’t want there sister around when he is with his friends.
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"I'm going to try to make it to 30" I am gonna cry, they deserve more
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As of NOVEMBER 2022, they're both still alive! He's 23 now and she's 15. God bless them - I hope they get much more time still to come.
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When he said the life expectancy is 12 years, my heart broke for him. So glad he made it past the expectancy! I would be sad knowing my life expectancy. I would rather not know and die unexpectedly. But we are all different.
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okay but michiel has friends that let his 12 year old sister hang with them wow get yourself a brother with friends like this
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To know that the boy has friends that let his little sister hang around them, is amazingly beautiful 😍
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I honestly wish i had friends like him, his friends fully support him, it’s nice to see some people have kind hearts.
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. Watching these kids makes you realise how much you take for granted. Life is hard but someone out there in the world is suffering worse than you. Never take life for granted. If you are happy healthy then you are very blessed in this life .
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Why are people with disabilities and pain so sweet and the ones that are cruel, rude and spoilt go through no pain?
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Amber really surprised me, she is just 12 but the way she is and talks makes me feel like she's already 15-18.
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The older brother melts my heart the way he takes care of his sister and the girl is just cute. Such strong young adults.
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i'm from belgium and i saw them irl a few times. never really talked to them but they seemed really kind and happy
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Their English is better than most ppl who live in my state of California.
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Being different is what makes all of us beautiful
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The world needs more people like Michiel's friends
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Oh my goodness, the girl has a really sweet face 👸👸
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Imagine, having your first child be diagnosed with it, and then your second. Heartbreak twice 🙁
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"we're da... siblings with progeria." - most lovely person on the face of this planet. 💖💖
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She is 12 me too She likes dancing me too LET'S BE FRIENDS
