- Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan, known as the world’s hairiest girl, endured a difficult time at school as she became the target of teasing and frightened her fellow students with her unique appearance.
- Her parents candidly shared their experiences of raising her and the obstacles they encountered along the way.
- Against all odds, Natty managed to find love and embraced her appearance, proudly revealing her face without hair.
August 5, 1999, marked a moment in the Sasuphan family’s history that would forever be etched in their memories. Sompon and her husband, Samrerng, were filled with joy with the arrival of their daughter that day. However, their happiness was tinged with a profound mixture of shock, fear, and disbelief.
According to Sompon, when their daughter was born, the doctor told her she had lots of hair, and Sompon assumed it was normal. The mother added in tears:
“When I saw her in the incubator, I was shocked that she had so much hair, I thought it was the normal amount of hair.”
Sompon’s daughter Supatra Sasuphan, also known as Natty, shocked many medical experts who didn’t understand why she had long hair covering almost her entire body. The doctors in Thailand had never seen anyone who looked like her.
Doctors later said that Natty was born with Ambras syndrome, a very rare congenital skin disease. The condition’s rarity is so exceptional that there are only 50 documented cases recorded worldwide since the Middle Ages.
The disease causes excessive hair growth over a person’s entire body, except their palms, soles, and mucous membrane. Doctors have conducted modern studies on the condition, which has led them to believe this excessive hair growth is caused by a spontaneous mutation in the DNA sequence.
When Natty was born, and her mother wanted to leave the hospital, doctors wouldn’t release her because they thought she would run and abandon her child. However, Sompon explained:
“I told the doctor; I would never leave my child no matter what. We are lucky that she was born into our family.”
Natty grew up in a loving family, but not everyone was accepting of her condition as she faced some negativity growing up.
How Was Natty Growing Up?
Ambras syndrome is incurable and resistant to techniques such as laser removal or any treatment to slow its growth. Thus, Natty’s face was mostly hidden behind thick hair growing up. At school, she was bullied and ridiculed due to her physical condition. She was called “wolf girl” and “monkey face.”
However, Natty didn’t understand why some people made fun of her. She noted that she was just a normal girl but one with more hair. “It’s the way I am. I don’t even think about it,” she said.
Natty’s teacher, Kuljira Posaeng, said other kids were afraid of the way she looked. Kuljira revealed that Natty had a hard time in school at first, but as time passed, she proved that she was just like anybody else.
Natty’s teachers described her as hardworking and a student with good grades. People who knew her also said she won over her classmates to become one of the most popular kids at school.
Doctors have also tried to remove her hair using laser treatment, but it grows back thicker than before.
Her teachers went on to say that Natty was very lively and liked to sing, dance, and act. Natty’s parents also raised her normally and never allowed their daughter to feel inferior to anyone. She said her parents would take her everywhere as they were never ashamed of the fact that she didn’t look like other kids.
Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan | Source: YouTube.com/BrainTime
In 2011, Guinness World Records named Natty the “world’s hairiest teenager,” a recognition that made her more popular at school. Proud of the award, Natty realized, “Being hairy makes me special. This the happiest day of my life!” Natty also noted:
“There were a few people who used to tease me and call me monkey face, but they don’t do it anymore.”
However, Natty and her parents said they only wanted their daughter to be a normal kid. Samrerng, who is proud of her, said his daughter was self-confident and worked and played hard.
Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan getting a haircut | Source: YouTube.com/BrainTime
Meanwhile, Sompon revealed that Natty always got good grades as she would score high marks all around, including an A in math, which was her favorite subject. Natty noted that she liked to study math so that she could teach it to younger children and show them they could do it too.
She revealed that when she grows up, she would like to be a doctor to help injured patients and people who get hurt. She also hoped for a cure for her condition, which sometimes made it difficult for her to see.
Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan getting a haircut | Source: YouTube.com/BrainTime
When Natty was born, she underwent surgery to breathe properly because her nostrils were only one millimeter wide. In her first three months, she was kept in an incubator, and she stayed in the hospital for ten months before she was discharged.
Doctors have also tried to remove her hair using laser treatment, but it grows back thicker than before. Despite these failed attempts, Natty remained determined to live a happy and bubbly life as she made friends and enjoyed watching cartoons just like any other kid.
Shaving Her Facial Hair and Finding Love
Accepting that her condition has no cure, Natty kept her facial hair until she hit adolescence when she started shaving it. By this time, her self-esteem and self-image took precedence, and she also found love. Natty revealed:
“It began from friendship, then we became a couple. When we talked, I was happy. When we were together, I was comfortable and we listened to each other. It was a kind of love that I didn’t expect would happen to me.”
Natty later got married to her boyfriend. She said her husband was “…not just my first lover, you’re the love of my life.”
She also shared several pictures of them, and in these pictures, Natty’s face was free of facial hair, which made many people think that she had been cured of her condition.
Her father revealed that she had simply made the decision to shave her facial hair, leading to her new look. Natty’s eyes, face, mouth, lips, and cheeks are now visible. It is only her forehead that is covered with the hair on her head.
Natty, who has found love and happiness, is determined to keep living a positive life and become a government officer who helps society.
The young woman has become active on social media once again, sharing several photos of her new style. Natty is seen smiling and enjoying life with her loved ones, feeling confident and happy rocking her short hair and hair-less appearance.
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