Dermatology is a widespread medical profession that deals with the skin, hair, scalp, nails, and taking care of its diseases. An important moment in the course of dermatology was when medical doctors from the United States discovered the phenomenal Dede Kosawa in Indonesia. The discovery of Dede Kosawa was an important moment in my life as well. The first time I saw Dede Kowasa was on the TV channel TLC (The Learning Channel) in a documentary titled “The Tree Man” and indeed was the title right about Dede. Dede, 38, has been covered in warts from head to toe for twenty years now. His hands and feet have become like roots of a tree and he no longer has the ability to make fists or pick up objects. These brownish warts extend three feet off his hands and all the warts in total weigh more than 13.2 kilograms. The warts have a tree-like appearance and are the reason why Dede has been named the “Tree Man.”
Dede was diagnosed with Human Papillomavirus and a rare immune deficiency disorder. The combination of both those illnesses caused warts to sprout all over his body. Doctors in Indonesia tried to cut off the warts but they grew right back. When Dr. Anthony Gaspari from the University of Maryland became involved in the case on the documentary, he was certain that a daily dosage of Vitamin A would reduce the amount and size of his warts in three to six months and for the more resistant warts, they could be frozen off. This remedy has been used before for the most severe cases of Human Papillomavirus.
When I saw this documentary I was in such amazement and intrigued by the warts on Dede’s body. I had never seen anything like it and when I first saw him I had no idea that they were even warts. Seeing Dede’s profound case triggered my interest and my goal to pursue dermatology. I want to be able to treat and take skin samples of that just Like Dede Kosawa’s skin disease. I am just fascinated by skin and its conditions or diseases. Even when I have acne or dry skin it bothers me that it is not smooth and even and I do want I can to get it as even as possible. I want to be able to contribution to the field of dermatology and clear others skin of diseases and other disorders. The medical aspect behind the various types of skin disorders has also contributed to my curiosity of dermatology. I find it interesting how the body works and the obstacles mankind faces medically. I want to be able to help people like Dede and enhance others lives. Not only do I want to help my community with their skin but my family as well.
Without even realizing it, media has impacted my career decisions. If it were not for the documentary on the learning channel on TV, my passion for dermatology probably would have never been discovered. Cases like Dede’s go unseen all the time because he is considered the “other” (Blog 5). Even though we are exposed to many stories like this about people around the world they are still neglected a majority of the time. There are many others in Dede’s village that have rare disorders but are not able to receive the medical attention they need. America takes pride in its people and representation to “others” which is why cases like Dede’s are not found in America.
Dede was diagnosed with Human Papillomavirus and a rare immune deficiency disorder. The combination of both those illnesses caused warts to sprout all over his body. Doctors in Indonesia tried to cut off the warts but they grew right back. When Dr. Anthony Gaspari from the University of Maryland became involved in the case on the documentary, he was certain that a daily dosage of Vitamin A would reduce the amount and size of his warts in three to six months and for the more resistant warts, they could be frozen off. This remedy has been used before for the most severe cases of Human Papillomavirus.
When I saw this documentary I was in such amazement and intrigued by the warts on Dede’s body. I had never seen anything like it and when I first saw him I had no idea that they were even warts. Seeing Dede’s profound case triggered my interest and my goal to pursue dermatology. I want to be able to treat and take skin samples of that just Like Dede Kosawa’s skin disease. I am just fascinated by skin and its conditions or diseases. Even when I have acne or dry skin it bothers me that it is not smooth and even and I do want I can to get it as even as possible. I want to be able to contribution to the field of dermatology and clear others skin of diseases and other disorders. The medical aspect behind the various types of skin disorders has also contributed to my curiosity of dermatology. I find it interesting how the body works and the obstacles mankind faces medically. I want to be able to help people like Dede and enhance others lives. Not only do I want to help my community with their skin but my family as well.
Without even realizing it, media has impacted my career decisions. If it were not for the documentary on the learning channel on TV, my passion for dermatology probably would have never been discovered. Cases like Dede’s go unseen all the time because he is considered the “other” (Blog 5). Even though we are exposed to many stories like this about people around the world they are still neglected a majority of the time. There are many others in Dede’s village that have rare disorders but are not able to receive the medical attention they need. America takes pride in its people and representation to “others” which is why cases like Dede’s are not found in America.
