Morphea victim

According to Wikipedia, Morphea is a rare skin disease that involves isolated patches of hardened skin with no internal organ involvement.

In its generalized form, it is characterized by widespread indurated plaques and pigmentary changes, sometimes associated with muscle atrophy, but without visceral involvement.

Mayo Clinic further explained that Morphea typically appears on the abdomen, chest or back, but it can affect the face, arms and legs. It tends to affect only the outermost layers of the skin — the dermis and the fatty tissue just beneath the dermis. Sometimes, Morphea can restrict movement in the joints.

MORPHEA VICTIM. She is only 9 years old, grade three pupil and a resident of Barangay 1, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. Morphea badly struck her arms. And as a result, the area near her elbows shrunk—coated with hard and intensely itchy skin. (Photo courtesy of Argie Lorenzo)

Morphea subsides over time, but it gives much pain and appearance problems—its victims may suffer deformation on their face and limbs. Thus, people stricken with this disease are sometimes forced to live a life of shame and temporary seclusion.

In Ilocos Norte, a girl fell victim of this painful and almost crippling disease.

She is only 9 years old, grade three pupil and a resident of Barangay 1, San Nicolas. Morphea badly struck her arms. And as a result, the area near her elbows shrunk—coated with hard and intensely itchy skin.

Besides the physical effects of Morphea, the girl is now suffering from humiliation, and sometimes derision. She cannot go to school without wearing a sweatshirt or a long-sleeved dress.  This intensifies the itch, due to fabric heat and friction, but this is her only means to lessen attention.

In an interview, the girl openly admitted that she is tired of her situation—a depression that borders in self-destruction.

According to local doctors, cure is possible, but it will require a long treatment—extensive and expensive.

But she comes from an indigent family—her father sells "bote-garapa", her mother is a plain housewife. There is no way she can be saved from this disease—that is destroying her life—except by our help and prayers.

May GOD bless this poor child. And may GOD bless us with unity and determination to save her from Morphea.

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BARD NOTES: Special thanks to INWD General Manager John Teodoro, INWD Board of Directors and all employees of Ilocos Norte Water District. 

Happy bard-reading to Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos, Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas, Vice Mayor Michael V. Farinas, Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta, Board Member James Paul “Goro” Nalupta, Mr. Efren Bartolome, Ms. Pia Salapongol, Dr. Chester Puño, Dr. Sme Juancho Estrella and Atty. Yvette Convento- Leynes.

Happy reading also to Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, INEC Director JV Calajate, Ms. Cecil Nalupta and the employees of Philippine National Bank – Laoag Branch, AMA – Laoag Campus,  DepEd – Laoag, Video City – Laoag, Runner’s High Specialty Shop, Land Bank of the Philippines and Ilocos Norte PNP.