Grady Franklin Stiles, Jr. may have been his birth name, but Grady, Jr. was more frequently referred to as “Lobster Boy.” Grady Franklin Stiles, Jr. was born on June 26, 1937, in Pittsburgh, Pa., with the genetic deformity ectrodactyly. Ectrodactyly is an inherited condition that can affect the fingers and the toes. Individuals with this condition are born with fingers and toes that are fused together, causing these extremities to resemble a claw. Grady, Jr.’s father also had ectrodactyly and he earned a living as a sideshow attraction with the carnival. Once Grady, Jr. reached the tender age of seven, he was thrust into the limelight to perform with his father: He was given the stage name, “Lobster Boy.” read more

Despite being bullied for the darkness of her skin, Khoudia Diop has embraced her difference. You can certainly say that her incredible strength to stand up to bullies has paid off. The 19-year-old student and gorgeous model from Senegal (a country on Africa’s west coast) has become an Internet sensation who has inspired many to love themselves just the way they are.

Diop’s inspiring story has touched thousands around the Web. She is currently working with a group called The Colored Girl. The group aims at empowering, celebrating and uniting women from all walks of life. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Diop said she has learned to love herself more every day. When she hears any negativity about her skin tone, she just ignores it. read more

While still up for debate, Schlitzie (The Pinhead) was born in the Bronx on Sept. 10, 1901 (d. Sept. 24, 1971) as Simon Metz. Schlitzie. He was born with the medical condition microcephaly, and was an American sideshow performer.

Microcephaly

A side-view illustration showing a baby with microcephaly (left), and a baby with an average head (right).

Microcephaly is a condition that is characterized by an extremely small brain and cranium as well as a small stature. Many times, microcephaly results in intellectual disabilities. It is said that Schlitzie’s intellectual functioning was that of a three- or four-year-old and that he stood about four feet tall. read more

Young African man Sorence Owiti Opiyo has the biggest penis in the world. Due to a strange disease, his massive manhood is now larger than a baby. It is said to be 10 times larger than the average penis. Although one might envy Opiyo for having such a large sexual organ, his bizarre abnormality has left him unable to have sex. It has also left him unable to have children.

Warning: Graphic content. The following content may be disturbing to some viewers.

Opiyo’s Unknown Condition

A decade ago, Opiyo developed a crazy disease that currently has no name. The illness manifested itself through a swelling similar to a boil. The boil caused his reproductive organ to grow like a weed. Sadly, Opiyo says his condition is painful. It must also be painful mentally because he cannot live a normal life. Not only is he unable to have children and intercourse, he also can’t fit in any clothing. Opiyo was also forced to drop out of school due to being bullied. read more

While records related to the birth of Julia Pastrana are somewhat blurred, it is likely that she was born on the Sierra Madre’s Western slopes of Mexico. It is believed that she was born in the year 1834 (died: March 25, 1860). At that time, her physical characteristics of thick lips, wide ears and excessive hair growth caused great confusion: Some individuals theorized that she was the offspring of a human and an ape, a bear or a baboon, which led to her nicknames, ‘The Bear Woman,’ ‘The Baboon Lady’ and ‘The Ape Woman.’ read more