Over the years, we’ve seen a variety of birth abnormalities, some more frequent than others. They can be physical or developmental in nature, and they can occasionally be severe, necessitating surgery or other intense medical treatment. Despite their difficulties, most persons born with these diseases have the most positive and upbeat attitude on life. Michelle Kish was born with Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome, an uncommon illness. Yet, she manages to truly enjoy life, and her happiness is contagious.

Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome is a birth defect.
Mary and Brad Kish of Illinois were looking forward to the arrival of their daughter. Mary’s pregnancy had been uneventful, as had the delivery of their second child, Michelle Kish. It didn’t take long for medical personnel to determine Michelle had a rare disease. In fact, her ailment was so uncommon that doctors had to examine textbooks and contact a geneticist from another hospital.

Michelle had a larger face structure than others, and she was losing her hair. Her nose was also characterized as resembling a small beak. She was born with Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome, it turned out.

Medical Professionals Perplexed
“At Children’s Memorial Hospital, where Michelle was born, no one had ever seen it in person. My heart sunk when the doctor told us we had Hallermann-Streiff syndrome. I was concerned about how we would care for our child, who had a rare genetic condition that affected one in every five million people.” Michelle’s mother revealed to the Daily Mail in 2018.

Michelle exhibited 26 of the 28 signs, so doctors were fairly certain of their diagnosis. Michelle suffers dwarfism in addition to Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome. Michelle’s condition necessitates extensive medical assistance, such as an electric wheelchair, hearing aid, probe, respirator, and vision aids. “Today Michelle is a 20-year-old woman,” Mary stated of her daughter’s health in a Daily Mail interview. She is as bright as a poodle and joyful than she has ever been. Michelle is one of the happiest 20-year-olds I know,” Mary added, “She enlightens people’s life with their joy. She is aware of her differences, but she does not let them define her.”

Recognizing Hallermann-Streiff syndrome
There are only 250 known occurrences of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome worldwide, and the chances of being born with it are 1 in 5 million. Hallermann-Streiff syndrome is distinguished by an abnormally shaped skull, thin skin and hair, and dental anomalies. In some cases, Hallermann-Streiff syndrome can also result in a narrowed upper airway, necessitating breathing assistance. Luckily, there hasn’t been any evidence that the illness affects cognitive ability or IQ.

Little is known about the etiology of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, and researchers are continually learning more. The congenital condition was initially recorded in 1893, but it wasn’t fully recognized until 1948, when Hallermann discovered it, and then again in 1950, when Streiff discovered it.

Getting the Most Out of Life
Michelle’s Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome hasn’t slowed her down in the least, and she has a plethora of interests and goals. She enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her dog, and she aspires to one day have a “lover with a lot of hair.” Michelle wants to be a pediatrician but has a backup plan in place. She would be content to be a fashion designer or an actor. Although she is content with her life, she wishes she were a little taller so she could “go on every amusement park ride.” She also has a tight relationship with her sister Sarah, who stated, “Every time I introduce Michelle to a new person, they think she is incredibly sassy and really amusing. But I end up enjoying her more than I like myself.”