Didier Montalvo from Colombia grew up with a huge growth on his back that looked like a turtle shell. The rare condition made it painful to move and left him isolated, as villagers mocked him and even threw stones.
His family couldn’t afford surgery, and doctors warned the growth could turn cancerous. Then in 2012, British surgeon Neil Bulstrode stepped in to operate for free.
The surgery transformed Didier’s life—he could finally go to school, play with friends, and feel accepted. His story shows how compassion and care can give someone not just health, but dignity.
