Mom has to lock the refrigerator because her 200-pound son can't stop eating
19-year-old Australian Henry Scaraz suffers from a rare disease, Prader—Willi syndrome. It is very difficult for a guy to stop eating (usually people with this syndrome are able to eat a lot without eating too much), he is prone to obesity. At his fairly young age, Henry weighs about 200 kilograms. His mother, Virginia, has to deal with it somehow: she is forced to lock the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. "I can go somewhere literally for a minute, and on my return I find an empty jar of peanut butter," she says.
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Virginia has a hard time: she needs to take care of her son around the clock. She bathes him in the morning, takes him to physical therapy in the afternoon and constantly makes sure that Henry does not have free access to food.
In addition to an insatiable appetite, symptoms of Prader—Willi syndrome include developmental delay, learning difficulties, stubbornness and an explosive temper. "On top of everything, Henry also got diabetes," complains Virginia, who, in addition to Henry, has two more children.
"I'm 55 years old and I take care of Henry alone. I don't have days off at this job. He needs to be controlled in everything," Virginia shared.
"Those who believe that Henry just needs to eat some vegetables to lose weight simply do not understand the essence of this disease. Usually babies with this syndrome are born small and frail. Henry was born very tiny, he weighed 2.2 kilograms. At about three years old, his appetite woke up, and he began to gain weight very quickly."
"Some children with Prader—Willi syndrome actually eat literally everything in a row: unfrozen minced meat, scraps from the garbage bucket. Henry, fortunately, is not like that, but he is very cunning. He's always fooling me, wanting a good meal. That's why I have to lock the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets."
After the birth of her older brother Henry more than 20 years ago, Virginia had to leave work to raise the baby. Then Henry was born, and the single mother could not return to work. Making ends meet was difficult. "This is a constant struggle of a lifetime. In our financial situation, we cannot save money, everything goes to medicines and doctors," Virginia said.
Henry is a very talented guy. He has a non-standard type and participates in many theatrical productions.
"Many problems are related to the car. Our old Ford Falcon is already breathing hard, we need a new car, but there is no money to buy it. At the same time, the car needs such that Henry can fit in it and that the bottom does not fidget on the ground when he is in the cabin," says Virginia.
Henry is a big fan of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby club. The guy is often recognized in the neighborhood, many people say hello and approach him and his mother to chat. "Our neighbors love him very much. Henry is a loving guy, he smiles all the time, and at Christmas he plays Santa in a kindergarten near our house," Virginia said.
Keywords: Disease | Struggle | Genetics | Mother | Obesity | Sydney | Son | Fat