“Boy, 11, with body of an OAP - The Sun”

Posted: 23 Apr 2010 05:56 PM PDT

By STAFF REPORTER

Published: 23 Apr 2010

LITTLE Harry Crowther is just 11 — but has the body of a pensioner.

He is the only person in the world with a condition that causes him to age FIVE TIMES faster than normal.

But the brave boy still manages to skateboard, climb trees and ride his bike just like his pals, despite having all the aches and pains of an OAP.

Harry suffers from a form of Atypical Progeria Syndrome, which means his body is already wracked with arthritis even though he is still at primary school.

His skin has begun to thin and the bones in his fingers and collarbone have begun to erode as the ageing process prematurely accelerates.

He takes painkillers four times a day and his parents Sharron and John know Harry's life will be cut short by the cruel condition.

Sharron, deputy manager at a pre-school in the family's hometown of Mirfield, West Yorkshire, said: "Its just a sit and wait game. Because the change in Harry's gene is unique, they cannot say whats going to happen.

"We have had our tears and the 'why us?' moments like every family would have. But we have to remember he is walking, talking and is in mainstream school.

"It is just that his body is a bit different. But there is always someone who is worse off than you. He enjoys riding his bike, swimming and climbing trees just like any other boy his age."

Harry's skin began tightening when he was just a year old and his face began to alter, so his worried parents took him to see a geneticist.

But his unusual symptoms continued to baffle medics until his concerned parents saw a TV documentary about a girl with a similar syndrome called Hutchinson Guilford.

Harry was diagnosed with his illness, closely related to Hutchinson Guilford, at the specialised UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, US, when he was seven.

But because he is the only person to suffer from this rare form of Atypical Progeria Syndrome, medics cannot predict how Harry's illness will develop. The oldest sufferer of a similar condition lived to the age of 26.

Sharon, 40, who lives with Harry's IT director dad John, 41, and children Emma, 16, and 14-year-old Jack, added: "It is a bit frustrating because there isn't anyone we can talk to who has the condition.

"People stare and even go back and get their friends to stare. It really upsets him and I just think 'why?'."

Harry does daily exercises to help loosen his stiff and aching joints and has hydrotherapy once a week. He tires more quickly than other children and often has to take short rests at school.

Harry said: "I can do a lot of things other children can do, but sometimes it stops me doing what I like doing because I ache.

"It feels weird and hurts most when I'm in bed. I get upset when people who don't know me stare and it's annoying going to hospitals."

Cub Scout Harry is attending the St Georges Day parade at Windsor Castle today after being presented with the Chief Scouts Award for his bravery.