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Jeffrey Ortega has suffered with a condition that means his feet balloon to twice their natural size.
Jeffrey Ortega wants his size 16 foot amputated after it swelled due to a genetic condition.
He suffers from Proteus Syndrome which has caused his feet to balloon in scale. The condition causes bones, skin and tissue overgrowth, and affects just a handful of people worldwide.
It has affected Jeffrey’s hands, hips, and legs – and he believes amputation of his left foot will relieve his pain and stop the growth.
Currently his left foot is 17 inches in circumference and 14 inches long while his right foot is 14.5 inches in circumference and 12 inches long, reports The Mirror.
Costly operation
Jeffrey Ortega, from Deerfield Beach, Florida, has been suffering from Proteus Syndrome since he was just a few months old.
After 11 failed attempts to treat his feet with surgery, Jeffrey has now decided that amputation is the best option – but doctors have only agreed to perform the amputation if he pays for the procedure himself in full.
Jeffrey Ortega said: “The operation costs about $40,000 – this includes the surgery, prosthetics, and follow up physical therapy to teach me to walk again.
“I started a GoFundMe page, but have not reached my goal yet. Having the amputation would improve my life so much. It would help me walk again and I won’t have to use a wheelchair anymore.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
