A Filipino man has suffered from severely swollen ‘elephant legs’ for the last six years.
Gerald Coronado has had several operations since his right calf began swelling up in 2012.
But the 21-year-old’s elephantiasis, also know as lymphatic filariasis, continued to return and get worse, leaving the young man unable to walk.
As his medical debt grew, his family was unable to continue paying for ongoing treatment, which forced Mr Coronado to continue suffering from his ballooning limbs.
Gerald Coronado (pictured) has suffered elephantiasis for six years. The condition is caused by trapped fluid accumulating
Gerald (pictured) is at Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital undergoing x-rays, scans and tests
Gerald (pictured) after the first operation in 2012, before his legs got worse
But earlier this month, several well-wishers banded together to send Mr Coronado to a doctor, who immediately alerted the government.
Officials have now funded his treatment and sent him to Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital, where he is due to undergo operations and get the medication he needs.
‘My legs have been like this since 2012. Even then my legs were so big that I could no longer walk,’ Mr Coronado said.
‘I thought that having one operation would fix this. But after the operation the swelling became worse. I stayed at home and my legs continued growing.
‘I’m so thankful to everybody who has helped to send me to hospital and for all of the doctors for working on me.’
The condition left Gerald (pictured) unable to walk as his limbs swelled to extraordinary size
Gerald’s legs have ballooned since the first operation in 2012 (pictured)
He spent Sunday in hospital undergoing x-rays, scans and tests. Doctors hope to operate later week.
‘Gerald’s mother is with him in the hospital and she’ll be looking after him all week,’ his aunt May Coronado said.
‘Gerald has had a very difficult life and many problems with his legs but we’re hoping and praying that he will finally be fixed.’
Elephantiasis is a severe enlargement of a limb or any organ of the body caused by trapped fluid accumulating.
It’s hoped that doctors will be able to operate on Gerald (pictured) later this week