Nurse and ‘Stranger Things’ star bond over condition

A nurse practitioner and the star of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ share a bond that very few people do – and the pair were able to meet to talk about plans to help others with their condition.

Kelly Wosnik, 41, works as a medical professional in Utah, suffers from a bone growth disorder called cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) – those affected are born without collarbones and have problems with their teeth, often requiring painful and expensive surgeries.

‘Stranger Things’ star Gaten Matarazzo also has the condition, which is written into the story of the show, bringing awareness to the rare disease. When Gaten’s parents found out about Wosnik’s desires to start a charity to help others with CCD, they got in contact and set up a meeting between the two.

‘I wondered what a 14-year-old would see in a 41-year-old,’ said Wosnik to the Deseret Times.

‘Then I opened the door and it was an instant connection. He saw me and just hugged me. And when I finally let go, he didn’t.’ 

Kelly Wosnik and Gaten Mattarazzo (above) share the rare bone condition cleidocrainal dysplasia, or CCD

The disorder affects just one in a million people - Wosnik, a nurse practitioner in Utah, hadn't met anyone else with the disorder until she was 33 years old

The disorder affects just one in a million people – Wosnik, a nurse practitioner in Utah, hadn’t met anyone else with the disorder until she was 33 years old

The two first met last year on Presidents Day weekend. They sat down and drew up plans to start the organization that became CCD Smiles – taking note of what awareness can do to help those that suffer from a condition.

‘He wants to do anything he can to help,’ Wosnik said of Matarazzo. ‘He’s wise beyond his years. He’s very empathetic.’ 

Wosnik, who had never met anyone else with CCD until she was 33, appeared with Matarazzo last month on the ABC show ‘The Doctors’. 

To date, their appearance has garnered over two million views on YouTube.

Together with Matarazzo, Wosnik helped found CCD Smiles, an organization that brings awareness in the public about the condition (Pictured here with other sufferers of the disease)

Together with Matarazzo, Wosnik helped found CCD Smiles, an organization that brings awareness in the public about the condition (Pictured here with other sufferers of the disease)

Like Matarazzo, Wosnik reported that there bullying was an issue in her childhood, with many referring to her dental issues.

 ‘Teeth are a big deal,’ said Wosnik. ‘To a teenager especially. You feel so isolated, so alone. So you lose confidence.’

What is CCD? 

Cleidocrainal dysplasia affects about one in a million people – the disease is characterized by problems with development in the bones and teeth. A hallmark of the disease is underdeveloped or absent clavicle bones, and delayed development of the skull is often present.

Abnormalities with teeth are also very common – primary teeth often take longer to fall out, secondary teeth take longer to appear, and the teeth are often misshapen. The disease can also often go undiagnosed due to individual who exhibit minor symptoms. 

Wosnik decided to study medicine in college, eventually attaining a doctorate in nurse. Her course of study included a thesis on CCD – and eventually, she hopes her foundation will help pay for dental surgeries for those afflicted that can’t afford them.

“At one in a million, we really could help every single person with CCD,” she said. 

Wosnik and Mattarazzo recently appeared on the ABC show 'The Doctors' - their appearance has gotten over 2 million views on YouTube

Wosnik and Mattarazzo recently appeared on the ABC show ‘The Doctors’ – their appearance has gotten over 2 million views on YouTube

Mattarazzo, seen here in a shot from 'Stranger Things'- had his condition written into the show

Mattarazzo, seen here in a shot from ‘Stranger Things’- had his condition written into the show

 

 

 



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