A rare disease is turning Luciana Wulkan into a human statute. She is suffering from Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, or FOP. The extremely rare connective tissue disease affects just 800 people worldwide.
It is also known as the Stone Man syndrome, as the condition slowly turns muscles, tendons, and ligaments into solid bone. It is currently incurable.
But despite being diagnosed with the condition, Luciana is determined to live a normal life. She was born with a stiff neck, and struggled to move her joints as she grew. She remains positive, and even does her own makeup every day using her left hand.
She was diagnosed with the condition in 2015, as her parents watched a TV documentary about FOP, and realized their daughter has the same condition.
Her hip muscles fused when she was 7 years old, and her jaw locked three years ago. This makes eating very difficult, but she soon adapted to her new.
She enjoys being sociable and going shopping, as well as dining out with friends and family.
