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Supatra
Sasuphan, pictured last year, is one of only 50 people ever to have Ambras
syndrome which makes hair grow all over her face. She has now been recognised
by the Guinness Book of Records.
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The
schoolgirl initially faced merciless teasing at school in Bangkok. But rather
than let the condition ruin her life, Supatra
says she enjoys being a world record holder and is even one of the most popular
girls at her school.
She works hard and is one of the better students in her school, and even has ambitions to become a doctor - so she can 'look after the sick and her own family'.
Likewise
her parents, who found out about her condition when she was born, say she is
just 'a normal little girl'. Supatra herself
insists her condition is just 'who I am', adding that she 'does not even think
about'.
Supatra is one of just 50 known sufferers of Ambras Syndrome - caused by a faulty chromosome - to be documented since the Middle Ages. Before the disease was understood, sufferers were branded 'werewolves'.
She
has thick hair growing over her face, ears, arms, legs and back. Even laser
treatment has failed to stop the hair growth.
Supatra has gradually been embraced by her community, and became a popular and outgoing child. She said: 'There were a few people who used to tease me and call me monkey face but they don't do it anymore. 'I'm very used to this condition. I can't feel the hair as it has always been like this. I don't feel anything. 'It does sometimes make it difficult to see when it gets long. I hope I will be cured one day.'
The bubbly little girl is also determined not to let her condition prevent her from leading a normal life. She said: 'I like to study maths so I can be good at it and teach it to younger children so they can do it too’.
'I
want to become a doctor so I can help patients when they get injured. 'I want to help people who get hurt and help
cure people.'
MORE PICS BELOW:
MORE PICS BELOW:
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Learning fast:
Supatra has suffered from the rare genetic condition since birth, but has
refused to let it get her down
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One of the
class: Supatra joins in with her schoolfriends in Bangkok
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'One of the
most popular girls in school': Supatra with classmates at Ratchabophit school,
where she says getting the record for world's hairiest girl has helped her win
more friends.
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They don't
tease me anymore: doctors tried to remove Supatra's hair with laser treatment
but it quickly grew back
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Happily
families: Supattra with her sister 15-year-old Sukanya, left, her father
Sammrueng and mother Somphon
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Still
attracting stares: strangers look at Supatra on the streets of Bangkok, but her
neighbours say her sweet nature quickly won over her local community
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Trim ... she has
to have regular cuts to stop the hair growing over her eyes
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Active ...
Supatra does not let her condition hold her back
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