00:00 Bernard, 23 years old, is very affected by his daily life.
00:05 Because of his severe illness, he has almost lost hope in life.
00:09 But in his future, Bernard is determined to get up again and continue his life.
00:17 His courage and challenge is what Luisito Santos of Super Radio DZW is aiming for.
00:24 He is often inside the house.
00:28 I hide him because I haven't bullied him yet.
00:33 "Hey, you're so big."
00:35 He has no confidence in himself.
00:37 My hands and teeth are getting bigger.
00:41 Bernard was like this before, 23 years old.
00:47 But now, in his near future, he has a wish.
00:57 [music]
01:05 Bernard's right tooth is bigger than his left tooth.
01:12 Bernard, when did you feel this condition?
01:16 I was a baby.
01:18 While he is growing, his tooth is also growing.
01:23 Some people said that Bernard has elephantiasis.
01:27 But they haven't confirmed it.
01:29 Did you get your tooth treated?
01:31 No, because it's already there.
01:34 I can't find it.
01:36 My mom knows that I was treated when I was a child.
01:41 He doesn't have any disease because I gave birth to him and he's already like that.
01:45 That's his foot.
01:47 The complications of Bernard's tooth are from the operation he had last year.
01:53 I operated him because there's a tumor in his foot.
01:57 His foot is also not even.
02:01 Is this condition affecting your studies?
02:04 When I entered, I stopped. I was in grade 7.
02:07 I can't avoid the trips of my classmates.
02:11 That's what he's like. He's being bullied.
02:13 "Your foot is big."
02:14 Maybe he's the one who's telling me that.
02:17 I also noticed that Bernard's left hand and left foot are small.
02:22 His mom said that it's normal for him to have an infection.
02:27 No, it's not.
02:29 Because when I was treating him, he was a child.
02:33 As a mother, I couldn't breathe.
02:38 When he came out, he was like that.
02:42 He doesn't have any disease because I gave birth to him and he's already like that.
02:45 That's his foot.
02:46 His mom said that she accepted the condition of his son.
02:50 She abandoned him and supported Bernard when there are people who will live with his son.
02:55 I told him not to be bullied.
02:57 I told him to accept what God gave you because God loves you.
03:02 I told him that.
03:03 Let them be.
03:05 Those people who have nothing to do in life, I can say that they are bitter.
03:09 What was the challenge for you in raising Bernard?
03:13 Because of his condition, he can't be bullied.
03:18 Because when he came here, he just cried.
03:20 Did Bernard not ask you why he was born like that?
03:24 No, he's not like that.
03:27 I told him to study well because if he doesn't study, nothing will happen to him.
03:37 Because of his hard life, Bernard decided to leave Manila to work.
03:42 But his fate didn't agree with him.
03:45 Why did you go to Manila?
03:47 I followed my brother so I can see him.
03:50 I don't know what to do because I'm always busy because of the problems in my house.
03:57 When someone gives me something, I put it aside.
04:01 Because every night, I buy food and I look for a safe place to sleep.
04:08 Surprisingly, his experience made him realize that his condition doesn't stop him from doing what he wants in life.
04:18 I wanted to go home because of my family.
04:23 Because if they find out that I'm there, I'll think that it will add more pain to my head.
04:31 Of course, it hurts.
04:33 I asked him where his brother is hiding.
04:35 He said, "Ma, Bernard is here."
04:37 I told him to go home.
04:39 He used to hide his condition.
04:42 Now,
04:44 in social media, Bernard doesn't hesitate to show his teeth.
04:52 Good morning, guys.
04:54 I'm thinking about what to do.
04:57 Why would I hide this?
05:00 Every time people watch it, it's obvious.
05:03 Why is it not the same as what I think?
05:06 But he wasn't saved by the bashers.
05:09 Someone told me, "What's that? Online divorce?"
05:13 He told me, "Yes, I'm doing that."
05:15 I didn't pay attention to him because someone was commenting.
05:19 I didn't care about him.
05:22 I was just happy.
05:24 I just thought that it's natural for people to do that because it's just a bash.
05:29 Bernard was happy that his condition was accepted.
05:33 With the help of prayers and the support of his family,
05:38 Bernard is ready to continue his life.
05:41 And now, his 24th day is approaching.
05:45 He plans to return to school.
05:48 So, what's your dream in life?
05:50 Just like my brother, I want to be an IT technician.
05:53 IT technician.
05:55 Dimension Technology.
05:56 It's okay.
05:58 We can just eat everyday.
06:00 What's your birthday wish?
06:02 I just want our family to be fine.
06:05 I want my life to be fine.
06:11 With the help of people who are supporting me.
06:16 I just want to be kind to him.
06:18 I just want to be obedient to God.
06:21 That's how our life is.
06:23 We don't have to always be ready.
06:26 We don't have money.
06:28 Our gift for Bernard is a surprise.
06:32 So that he can bring a smile to the day of his birthday.
06:37 Yay!
06:39 Of course, we can't forget the birthday when there's no cake.
06:45 Cake.
06:46 Happy birthday, Bernard.
06:48 Thank you for the inspirations.
06:51 For sharing your story with us.
06:53 And you can't complete a birthday cake without...
06:56 Glow.
06:58 Candle.
07:00 I hope you become strong.
07:03 I hope you don't get bullied.
07:05 Always call God.
07:07 I hope there are more blessings that will come to us.
07:14 Even if you don't have a father.
07:15 Of course, life is just like that.
07:19 I'm happy.
07:21 Even if I'm not ready.
07:23 I'm happy.
07:25 At least my family is there.
07:27 They don't have any illness.
07:29 So what's your plan when you're 24?
07:33 I'll just move on.
07:35 I'll just adjust to what I need to improve.
07:41 I'll stop being negative and stop giving up on life.
07:48 I hope you live long.
07:50 Since Bernard hasn't had his parents check up on him since he was a kid,
07:58 we'll bring him to an expert to find out what his condition is.
08:03 Hi, Doc. Good afternoon.
08:05 Hello. Good afternoon.
08:07 This is Bernard.
08:10 I have a few questions.
08:11 Why do you have a suture site?
08:15 Did you get a surgery?
08:18 I had an operation.
08:20 What was the reason?
08:22 I think it's a tumor.
08:26 The general term is lymphedema.
08:30 It can be one leg, two legs, or anywhere.
08:37 Lymphedema is the swelling of a part of the body
08:40 because of the stored protein-rich fluid from the paralyzed lymphatic system.
08:44 Our lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and ducts
08:49 that maintain fluid levels in our body tissues.
08:52 It also serves as a defense against infections.
08:56 When it gets paralyzed,
08:58 the excess fluid in our blood vessels will accumulate
09:01 and will be stored in a part of the body,
09:03 which is usually in the arm or the leg.
09:06 The main reason for people with lymphedema
09:10 is surgery or radiation therapy
09:15 that damages the circulation.
09:19 Those who have surgery
09:21 can also have an infection,
09:23 a parasitic infection called filariasis.
09:28 Filariasis is a type of neglected tropical disease
09:33 that occurs due to parasites in the soil.
09:36 Filarial worms live in our lymphatic system.
09:41 When the number of them increases,
09:43 it damages the blood vessels,
09:45 which is why people with lymphedema can have it.
09:47 But Bernard's case is congenital.
09:52 It means that if he was just diagnosed,
09:56 he might have a problem with his lymphatic system.
10:00 When you notice your hand is small, it's like this.
10:03 It's part of the congenital anomaly.
10:06 So it's more of congenital.
10:08 Because it has a different congenital deformity,
10:12 it's probably a congenital problem.
10:14 The lymphatic circulation is not good.
10:18 In the lymphatic circulation,
10:20 sometimes they have problems
10:24 with the flow of lymphatic fluid.
10:29 So it's congenital.
10:30 To make sure if it's filariasis or not,
10:33 we're still under Bernard's blood test
10:35 to see if there are parasitic worms in his body
10:38 that need to be treated and killed.
10:41 So that the other parts of his body are not affected yet,
10:46 we will continue our intervention
10:49 to improve the flow of lymphatic fluid.
10:56 Doc gave some advice
10:58 to prevent the blood from getting into Bernard's feet.
11:01 What we can do is,
11:03 always raise your lymphatic gland
11:05 to help with the drainage of the lymphatic fluid.
11:08 Surgery is a last resort.
11:11 You can also do a tiptoe.
11:15 I'm fine. I already know what my illness is.
11:19 And then,
11:21 in...
11:23 Why?
11:28 What?
11:29 Don't worry.
11:31 It's not cancer.
11:33 You have a long life.
11:35 You're just affected by the appearance and discomfort.
11:39 I'm fine.
11:41 I'm clear about
11:43 how to deal with this.
11:47 I've always wanted to see a doctor
11:50 to know what my illness is.
11:55 In Bernard's new year,
11:57 he hopes that he can continue his dreams.
12:04 I am Luisito Santos,
12:10 with "I Isang Brigada."
12:13 (music)
12:19 (music)
12:22 (music)
12:27 (music)
12:33 (music)
12:39 [Music]
12:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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