In North Sumatra, Indonesia, the story of the Manurong family has become a global sensation after videos documenting their lives went viral. This began when four out of six siblings were born with a rare genetic syndrome that affects facial features, making them resemble 'lizards'. According to media reports, the family lives in the village of Kidunkang, where they initially faced social stigma and isolation due to their unusual appearance. Locals believed the family was cursed by evil spirits. However, medical facts revealed that the cause is genetic, not a myth or a curse. The father of the family revealed in a documentary on the 'Truly' channel that his condition is hereditary and said, 'The facts are clear: our faces have changed shape, but we accept it and live our lives'. The four siblings suffered from Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes permanent deformities in the structure of the face, such as fragile cheekbones, a small jaw, and abnormal gum growth, without affecting intelligence, internal organs, or life expectancy. Nevertheless, the family faced significant social challenges. One of the brothers, Surya Manurong, spoke about the difficulties in finding a job due to rejection based on appearance and confirmed that the early years were filled with discrimination and loss of self-confidence. With the rise of social media, the family decided to publicly confront these challenges. Their honest storytelling and self-confidence brought them great fame, with their YouTube and TikTok channels gaining millions of followers. Their platforms have become a source of income and a tool to raise awareness about rare genetic conditions and encourage self-acceptance.
