By the looks of their home, Tony and Christine Clark are raising two rambunctious 7-year-old boys. Model train tracks and Monopoly pieces are scattered on tables and cartoons flicker on the TV set.
But the Clarks' two sons are grown men who share only the same interests and emotional fluctuations of little boys. Like the character portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 2008 film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons," Matthew, 39, and Michael, 42, are aging backwards.
Diagnosed with a terminal form of leukodystrophy, one of a group of extremely rare genetic disorders that attack the Myelin, or white matter, in the nervous system, spinal cord and brain. In the Clarks' case, the condition has not only eroded their physical capacities, but their emotional and mental states, as well. Only six years ago, both brothers were holding down jobs and growing their families. Today, they spend their days in the care of their parents, both in their sixties, playing with Mr. Potato Head, fighting over Monopoly, and in rare lucid moments, struggling to understand why their lives have changed so dramatically.
Just wanted to share this with you all. A very sad situation.
Edit: Whats even sadder is the fact that the brothers sometimes have moments when they become aware of their situation. It must be torture having that feeling and not being able to do anything about it.
Edited by HappyAccident, 26 November 2012 - 02:14 PM.
