Signs of ageing on eight-year-old Mobashira's body, as the Jamalpur child fights on with a dream of a pink ribbon

She is only eight years old. At this age, a child's eyes should sparkle with mischief, her hands should hold toys, and her hair should be adorned with colourful ribbons. Yet the childhood of Mobashira Mostarin of Dewanganj in Jamalpur seems trapped in a different reality. Various unusual changes have appeared in her body, and every day she has to struggle with physical suffering and social neglect.

Mobashira has no hair on her head, no eyebrows or eyelashes. Veins are clearly visible beneath her wrinkled skin. Her head is somewhat large compared with her face. The joints of her hands and feet are swollen, and her belly is also somewhat swollen. There is an abnormality in the structure of her nose as well. These changes in her body have set her apart from other children.

But the wishes in her mind are still like those of any other eight-year-old. She too wants to dress up, play and spend time with friends, like other children. The biggest dream in her little mind is to tie a pink ribbon in her hair one day.

Mobashira is the second of three daughters of autorickshaw driver Mahbubur Rahman and Kohinur Begum of the Borobari area of Dewanganj municipality. At birth, she was as normal as any other child.

But from the age of 20 days, various problems began to appear, including sores in her mouth and reddish spots on her body. Gradually her body and appearance began to change. In time, illness and various limitations took the place of the normal joys of childhood.

Father Mahbubur Rahman says they watch their daughter's suffering before their own eyes. They are trying as much as possible for her treatment. But bearing the cost of treatment over a long period is difficult for them. He hopes that, with everyone's cooperation, they will be able to continue their daughter's treatment.

According to the father, doctors have said Mobashira is suffering from progeria. He says there is no treatment for this disease in Bangladesh.

Mobashira's suffering is not limited to physical problems alone. It hurts most when other children avoid her. When children her own age play together and revel in joy, Mobashira watches them from a distance. When colourful ribbons sway in other children's hair, her head stays covered with a gamchha.

Mother Kohinur Begum becomes emotional as she speaks of her daughter's suffering. She says Mobashira is only eight, but many people are frightened when they see her. Even children her own age do not want to play with her. Her daughter then feels great pain, and seeing her suffering, her parents cry too, she says.

The mother says her daughter has been taken to doctors at various times. No permanent solution to the problem has yet been found. She needs advanced treatment and regular supervision by specialists. But for this family of limited income, bearing the cost of long-term treatment has become difficult.

Assistant registrar of Jamalpur Medical College and Hospital Md Rabiul Islam says progeria is a rare genetic disease. In this disease, signs of rapid ageing appear in children's bodies. Although there is no complete cure, various complications can be controlled with regular treatment and under a specialist's supervision. The number of patients with this disease in Bangladesh is very small.

According to doctors, in children affected by this disease, some signs resembling ageing can appear at an early age. In treating the disease, regular health check-ups, ensuring nutrition, monitoring possible complications and following specialist advice are important.

Rabiul Islam also says such children need special care, love and empathy. Alongside treatment, social acceptance is also essential for them — that is the message he gave.

A pink ribbon may be a trivial item of adornment to someone. But to Mobashira it is a symbol of the joy of childhood, of the desire to live in her own way, and of becoming one with other children. In the hope of fulfilling that small dream, Mobashira and her family are waiting for treatment, cooperation and people's empathy.