At 47 years old, Tiffany Wedekind has the body of a woman many years older. She suffers from a condition that means she ages eight times faster than a normal person. Despite this, she has still lived a full life and has a positive outlook on the time she has been given.
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The condition, known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, means that her body ages much faster than most people's. She was diagnosed with it at 31, along with her late brother. They both struggled with aging quickly, and her brother passed away at 39.
Due to her condition, Tiffany has all the signs of advanced aging despite only being 47. She has outlived all doctors' expectations but now has none of her teeth or hair. Her skin is wrinkled, and she has shrunk significantly. She now stands at only 4 foot 4 inches.
A Life Lived to The Fullest
Despite this aging disease, Tiffany has a wonderful outlook on life. Rather than let it diminish her love for life, she sees it as an excuse to never waste a moment. Speaking to Fox 8 News, she said, "My mortality is in my face every day. But I forget half the time. I've lived several lifetimes in a life that wasn't expected for me. I know life can end just like that. You don't have to be afraid of it [death]."
In her 47 years, she has accomplished many impressive achievements. She has been married and divorced, started a business, and is a yoga instructor. She's living just as much as anyone else, even though she ages faster than most.
Most importantly, Tiffany wants to be seen as a normal person and not pitied despite her aging condition. "We're all on the same boat. I'm not afraid to show myself bald and toothless. You don't have to be afraid of it [death]." Continuing, she said, "People need to see I am who I am to the core. It doesn't matter that I don't have hair. I am who I am despite the fact I am withering away."
We all go at some point. It's more about what you do with the time you're given rather than how long that is.
