JESPER+SORENSEN

__Jesper Sorensen__


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Jesper Sorensen looked like a normal child at birth. After a few months, he started loosing hair, stopped gaining weight, and stopped growing like normal babies should. At the age of one his parents Jette and Nilse knew something was wrong. This was no normal child. They brought him to some of the best doctors in Denmark, but no one knew anything about the disease little Jesper had. First at the age of 6, Jesper's parents got in contact with a German doctor. As Jette and the doctor talked on the phone, the doctor heard Jesper talk in the background, and then he knew exactly what Jesper had. The disease is called Progeria, and because it is so rare, there is a lack of research. Today Jesper is 11 years old. He lives in Poulstrup, in northern Denmark, and goes to Boston every couple of months for a treatment that slows down the process. Unfortunately there is no current cure. ======

(picture taken by Caroline Norgreen)

Jesper is known as Denmark's coolest boy, but also the boy in the old body. But the entire Denmark all agree that he is the coolest boy. Even with this disease, he is living a great happy life. With Denmark's help he is getting all his dreams for filled, and for him it will end with a happy ending. A happy ending, but also in pain. His old body is starting to get arthritis, and he gets cramps in the mornings often so he can't go to school.

Jesper has a brother, Jacob, that takes really good care of him. They sometimes play soccer is the yard, and Jacob always remembers that Jesper is not quite as strong. Recently Jacob and Jesper got a couple of motorcycles for kids, and when they aren't in school, playing soccer, or sleeping you will always find them riding side by side out on their huge field. On the days Jesper gets cramps, or the arthritis is hurting him so much, Jacob would help Jesper around the house and do anything to help Jesper feel better.

Caroline Norgreen remember one of the most painful memories with him, and was willing to share this in the project. "We where at the beach, watching the sun set. We where running around on the shore, and then I remember looking at Jesper and he looked almost blue. He looked so cold and weak. My uncle ended up having to take off his jacket wrapping it around my little cousin, and ran home with him. Seeing, Jesper, my cousin so weak just made me think that maybe it would be better if he could just come up to God and get a young strong body that matches his soul. His soul so strong and brave deserves a better stronger body."

His life is too short, but he is living it to the fullest.

Jesper has many friends who also have progeria. They all agree on two things: We love being with other progeria kids because they make us feel normal, and that we **HATE** people that stare at us.

Ashley, a fourteen year old girl has learned to deal with people staring and has some advice to share with other progeria kids. media type="youtube" key="8D4S3pDjPiU" height="344" width="425"


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