Costa Cálida
Murcia woman suffering from elephantiasis
By h.b.
Jun 28, 2008 - 2:25 PM

A Murcia woman, Encarna Laforet, who is suffering from the rare medical condition of elephantiasis, thought to be only case in Spain, says she is waiting for an electric wheelchair so that she can continue with her life. The condition has resulted in her legs continuing to grow in width without control, and that means she can hardly walk, and even the simplest domestic chores take her a great deal of time.

20 minutos.es visited her in her home and notes that she is taking care of her three children aged 20, 17 and 13, one of whom is suffering from mental problems.

She started suffering the condition thirteen years ago after her pregnancy, and since then she has visited hundreds of doctors, all of whom have been unable to help. Doctors say she is the only case in Spain to suffer the condition in both legs.

The Molina de Seguro Town Hall say they will be supplying her with a wheelchair next week, and she will be going to a congress on rare illnesses which is to be held in Sevilla in the hope someone may be able to help her.