- Villagers ostracised Didier and his family because they feared dark forces were at work
- British surgeon says Didier’s condition was the most extreme case he had ever seen
Pic: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/25/article-2135021-12C40EE1000005DC-660_306x423.jpg
A child dubbed ‘turtle boy’ because of a giant mole that covered his back like a shell, can now live a normal life thanks to a British surgeon.
Didier Montalvo, six, from Colombia, had the rare condition Congenital Melanocytic Nevus.
There was a chance the growth could turn malignant but Didier’s mother Luz could not raise the money for the operation.
Didier looks in wonder after his giant mole is removed from his back by surgeon Neil Bulstrode (pictured right)
The family were also ostracised from their rural village as the superstitious residents said Didier’s condition was due to being conceived during an eclipse.
They feared he was touched by evil forces which meant he could not attend school or be baptised.
‘I want to grow up,’ Didier said.
‘But the mole won’t let me.’
But thanks to leading plastic surgeon Neil Bulstrode, who operated on him free after hearing of his plight, Didier can now grow up as any other child.
The story will be told tonight as part of Channel 4′s Bodyshock documentary series.
