Rare Birth Defects Celebrated in India

In this country, children with rare birth defects would make rounds on talk shows or become guinea pigs for the medical community. There even might be a spot for them on a Nip/Tuck episode. In India, however, kids born with such abnormalities are thought of as blessings and even worshipped.

On March 11th of this year Lali was born in a northern Indian village. Lali has an extremely rare condition called craniofacial duplication - two faces on one head. Apparently Lali can open and shut all her four eyes at once and can drink with both of her mouths. She is said to be in good health and people have been visiting her to pay homage and receive blessings. Some even think she is the the goddess Durga reincarnated.



In related news, another little girl named Lakshmi was recently released from the hospital after having her two extra arms and legs removed from her body. Lakshmi was born with a conjoined parasitic twin at the pelvis. The parasitic twin stopped developing in the womb and was absorbed by Lakshmi's body, giving her an extra set of arms and legs. After a 24 hour operation with 30 doctors, the parasitic twin was removed and Lakshmi's pelvis was reconstructed. She is said to be making a full recovery! People in her home village also believed her to be an incarnation of a Hindu goddess.




Truth is stranger than fiction.

-chess