Keshav and Anjali Kumar from the Indian state of Jharkhand face the challenge of living with two rare conditions: cutis laxa and progeria. These conditions make the children appear like tiny old people, with their faces marked by wrinkles and sagging skin.

Beyond these physical traits, they suffer from joint pain and, even more painfully, the cruel taunts of their peers. Read on to learn about these young Indians who have experienced aging in their childhood.

The unusual story of this brother and sister first captured global attention in 2016. At that time, Anjali was 7 years old, and her younger brother Keshav was just a year and a half old. Despite their tender ages, they resembled elderly individuals. Their skin was not only wrinkled and saggy but also accompanied by joint pain typical of much older people.

Keshav and Anjali were diagnosed with progeria and cutis laxa—two incredibly rare and unfortunately incurable conditions.

In 2016, it was reported that their parents, Shatrughan Rajak and Rinki Devi, sought treatment for their children, but Indian doctors were unable to offer substantial help. The medical community could only provide some relief for the siblings, but due to the family’s poverty, they could not afford expensive treatments and relied solely on homeopathic remedies, which proved ineffective.

Fortunately, the global awareness of Keshav and Anjali’s plight led to a positive change in their situation. The charitable organization Care Today Fund reached out to their parents, offering medical assistance. The children underwent facial surgeries to smooth out their wrinkles and address the sagging skin. Today, they look significantly better than they did in 2016.