Myrtle Corbin (May 12, 1868 – May 6, 1928) was born with a severe congenital deformity that left her with four legs and the duplication of her sexual organs. Despite her very unusual deformity, she certainly lived her life to the fullest. At the young age of just 13, Corbin started her successful career in sideshows. She later went on to get married and have her own children.
For a similar story, read our post called Francesco Lentini: The Man With Three Legs.
Corbin’s Incredibly Rare Conditon
This is a gruesome article on cases of cannibalism from various parts of the world. Some of the information contained here may shock you. After reading these cases, you may be in disbelief. Today you will meet some people who shouldn’t even be called “human beings.” Instead, they should be called “zombies” who will devour the flesh and internal organs of the dead.
Warning: The following material may be too disturbing for some viewers.
What Is Cannibalism?
Dictionary.com has the definition of cannibalism as the eating of human flesh by another human being. When a person practices cannibalism (regardless of the reason), they are called a cannibal.
This is an article on the extraordinary story of Mandy Sellars (born February 20, 1975). Sadly, a PIK3CA genetic mutation has caused massive overgrowth of her skin, bones, fat and tissue in the lower half of her body. Interestingly, this particular gene mutation is not just rare. Scientists say it is actually unique. Sellars is the only known person in the world living with the condition.
Does Sellars Have A Condition Similar To The “Elephant Man?”
Today, there are some online sources that say Sellars was diagnosed with a rare form of a congenital disorder called Proteus syndrome. This type of disorder is what clinical experts believe Joseph Merrick, the “Elephant Man” likely suffered with. The condition typically causes asymmetric tissue overgrowth. The syndrome is so rare, there are only 120 known cases worldwide.
Meet a limbless sideshow performer with unbelievable abilities. Prince Randian (October 12, 1874 – December 19, 1934) suffered from an extremely rare syndrome that left him with no arms or legs. However, despite his condition, Randian shocked spectators by showing off his amazing ability to write, paint, shave himself, and even roll and light a cigarette using nothing but his lips.
Randian’s Rare Condition
Tetra-amelia syndrome is characterized by the complete absence of all four limbs. Unfortunately, being limbless is only part of its clinical characteristics. The syndrome also has the potential to cause severe malformations of various parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, eyes, nervous system, and genitalia. Sadly, due to the many severe medical issues that come with having Tetra-amelia syndrome, the majority of infants are either stillborn, or will die shortly after birth.
Minnie Woolsey (born in 1880) was an American sideshow entertainer/film performer. In the 1932 film called Freaks, she was billed as Koo Koo, the Bird Girl. Woolsey suffered from an extremely rare birth defect syndrome, resulting in short stature and bird-like physical characteristics.
Woolsey’s Rare Disorder
Woolsey had a rare inherited disorder called Seckel syndrome (also known as bird-headed dwarfism, Bird-headed dwarf of Seckel, and Harper’s syndrome). The condition causes growth delays prior to birth which result in not only low birth weight, but also unusual physical features.