Woman With Rare Condition Is Slowly ‘Turning Into A Human Statue’ As Her Muscles Turn Into Bone


A woman by the name of Ashley Kurpiel is turning into a human statute. A rare condition she suffers from is slowly turning her muscles into solid bone.

Image Source: Barcroft

The condition that she suffers from, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, is so rare that it only affects approximately 800 people around the world.

Image Source: Barcroft

It is incurable and as a result of the illness, the muscles are slowly turning into solid bone. Ashley has already lost her right arm from the illness.

Image Source: Barcroft

The disease can completely immobilize the sufferer but Ashley is trying to get the most that she can out of life.

Image Source: Barcroft

She said: “When I was about two and a half doctors diagnosed me with cancer.

Image Source: Barcroft

“They went in to remove what they thought was a tumor – and told my parents that it spread and they my arm needed to be amputated.

Image Source: Barcroft

“Five months later, doctors called and said cancer was a misdiagnosis and that I had a rare disease that affects one in two million people.

“I am growing a second skeleton in a sense, becoming a human statue physically.

Image Source: Barcroft

“Many others living with this lose all mobility, head to toe, and their jaws have locked shut.

Image Source: Barcroft

“At 25 I lost mobility in my right leg and had to learn to live life and how to move around.

Image Source: Barcroft

“I don’t know how much longer I will have movement in my body, so I want to experience as much as I can now.”

Image Source: Barcroft

The condition involves a mutation in the mechanism of the body that repairs tendons, ligaments, and muscles. When they are damaged, the illness causes them to be turned to bone.

Image Source: Barcroft

Ashley comes from Peachtree City, Georgia. When she was a teenager, she began to experience some of the symptoms of the illness.

She said: “I began to feel my body stiffen gradually – I had been told it was going to happen but once I started feeling the symptoms I wanted to experience everything life had to offer before it was too late.”

Image Source: Barcroft

Ashley experiences her body locking up but she still is interested in getting all that she can out of life.

She goes surfing on an annual basis, has recently skateboarded with the help of her friends and travels around the world.

Image Source: Barcroft

Ashley also did a 5K in a wheelchair and is an ambassador for those with FOP and for amputees.

Ashley said: “I’ve been blessed to meet so many truly amazing people, especially the Dalai Lama.

“I attend many events all year round for the IFOPA, and talk to other people who are suffering.

“I spend a lot of time on social media answering messages that families send me regarding FOP and I try to help as many people cope with the disease as possible.

“I look for the positive side of things – I’ve had my hardships and never know what the next day will bring, but I take each day as it comes.”

Source: Barcroft


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