> Jun 16 2005
>
>
> Real-life ordeal of Elastigirl Lauren
>
> By Jonathan Lessware
>
>
>
> A RARE condition has turned a teenager into a real-life Elastigirl.
>
> Like the character in the film The Incredibles, Lauren Munro, 19, can
> bend and stretch her body into a number of amazing positions.
>
> But far from giving her special powers, the condition is, in fact, a
> debilitating illness.
>
> At school Lauren, of Gullane, East Lothian, had always loved ballet
> and gymnastics and could outstretch classmates.
>
> But she also suffered a huge number of injuries.
>
> By the time she was 11, she had sprained her ankle more than 50 times
> and broken her wrist, armand leg.
>
> Lauren also noticed that, when she stood upright, her legs bent
> backwards.
>
> For years, mum Shirley, 41, was told by doctors it was just growing
> pains. By 17, Lauren was frequently falling over and injuring herself
> and had to quit college.
>
> Lauren said: 'I would fall over 20 times a day and I had suffered
> concussion five times.
>
> 'My knee, elbow and hip joints would dislocate and I would have to
> pop them back in myself.'
>
> Lauren's condition continued to deteriorate until she was taken to
> the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after knocking herself out in the bath.
>
> Eventually, she was told she has hypermobility syndrome and was
> referred to Professor Rodney Grahame, an expert in the field, at the
> University College Hospital, London.
>
> He said her ligaments and tissues were like elastic bands that
> stretched too much and weren't strong enough to hold her body up.
>
> Prof Grahame told her she was suffering from a number of linked
> conditions and put her in touch with a specialist physiotherapist in
> Edinburgh.
>
> Now,after years of suffering, her condition has started to improve
> and Lauren hopes to return to college.
>
> She said: 'I have to work on my posture but it'll take time.' #
> Donations can be made at www.hypermobility.org.uk