The Borough of Chaguanas is famous for the "Hanuman House," which was immortalised by renowned writer Sir Vidya Naipaul. But within this dusty bustling town, lives an ailing man named Bhagwandial Persad, who suffers from a skin disorder. The skin growth has earned Persad the nicknames "Hanuman" and "monkey man." The bizarre skin ailment called neurofibromatosis first emerged on Persad's face when he was five. Now at the age of 38, Persad said he no longer looks like Hanuman as his face has taken on a more grotesque appearance.
Persad's eyes have sunk into their sockets. His nose is now the size of a large pommerac, while his ear has slipped past his neck. Persad's lips are no longer visible and when he smiles, it can barely reach his eyes. Persad said because of the ridicule, he stopped attending the Felicity Hindu School and never learned to read and write. Although he tried to keep in style by piercing his left ear and growing his hair, his attempts at finding a wife have been futile. Persad said nobody would want to marry someone who looked like him. "I know that people abroad found partners. My sister called me from the States and told me about a story where somebody had a disease like me and he got married," Persad said.
Despite his disfigurement, Persad said, he was well loved by the children in the area. "They get accustomed to me. They treat me nicely. I does give them a lil twenty dollars when I have money. It is the grown up people who does scorn me," Persad said. He explained that details of his disease were never fully revealed to him even though he underwent several surgeries. "I am tired of all the surgeries. Every time they cut, I would be in pain and it would still grow back," Persad said. He explained that his doctors told him that the disease was incurable and it was affecting his nerves.
Now that he has accepted his condition, Persad said it was easier for him to live. "I work and take care of my mother now because she is ill. I don't study nothing. I could mix concrete and dig dirt. I does also climb coconut trees for people," Persad said. Saying that he believed his condition was hereditary, Persad said his father Mahadeo Dindial also had irregular skin growths. "But his condition was not as bad as mine. He had bumps on his back," Persad revealed. The young labourer said he was hoping to have a meeting with Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner to get help.
"I hope that he could send me abroad for treatment, because I want to look normal. I am still young and maybe if I get the treatment, I will have a better life," Persad said. He explained that it hurt his feelings when people called him nicknames. "I often wonder what it would be like to have a normal face. I know that Mr Warner is a good man and he will help me if he can," Persad said. Attempts to contact Warner for comment on his cellular phone proved futile. Anyone wanting to reach Persad can contact him at 755-1326.
WHAT IS PLEXIFORM NEUROFIBROMATOSIS
Plexiform neurofibromas are extensive nerve sheath tumors that can become quite large in size. They occur in patients with neurofibromatosis, and present as large soft tissue masses under the skin. Occasionally, these tumors can become malignant. This is heralded by rapid growth and pain. These tumors often surround vital nerves, vessels, and joints. Therefore, they are not usually curable with surgery. If they become cosmetically unacceptable, or irritate nearby nerves, they can be partially removed. Because patients with neurofibromatosis often have multiple plexiform neurofibromas that cannot be completely excised without significant risk to nearby nerves, surgery is rarely recommended. If there is any suspicion of malignancy, an immediate biopsy and/or removal can be performed.
Source: http://www.med.nyu.edu/neurosurgery/pns/conditions/tumors/plexiform.html
