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Health

Once Compared to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, 6-Year-Old Now Sees Himself Without 11-Pound Mole on His Back

Jul. 9, 2012 11:00pm Liz Klimas

Didier has been compared to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. It’s not because he loves the cartoon action characters though. Living in a remote Colombian village, it is unlikely he’s ever even seen a picture of them. Didier literally appears to have the back like that of a turtle — he even has the nickname “turtle boy.”

6 Year Old Colombian Boy Nicknamed Turtle Boy Speechless Seeing 11 Pound Mole Removed From His Back

(Image: Channel 4 via Daily Mail)

According to physicians, nearly three-quarters of his body was covered by a rare type of mole called congenital melanocytic nevus. The mass covered the whole of his back and extended around toward his stomach.

Didier’s mole was removed in April and found to not be malignant. Now, National Geographic has released footage of Didier seeing himself mole-free for the first time. Watch the preview for the show that aired Sunday night:

Didier is the perfect example of the viral nature of today’s worldwide media. Even though he lives in a remote village, if it weren’t for the way news spreads today, he may never have gotten the chance to attend school or do other things young children do. Watch National Geographic’s brief clip on the effect of the media on Didier’s case:

Channel 4 in the U.K. also featured the April surgery on its program “Bodyshock,” and states in addition to removal of the mole, the surgery involved a series of complicated skin grafts. The Daily Mail reported that before his story became publicized, the family was ostracized by villagers believing supernatural powers were the cause of Didier’s plight. The Daily Mail noted Didier saying at the time, “I want to grow up, but the mole won’t let me.” Neil Bulstrode was the plastic surgeon who operated on the boy.

(Image: Channel 4 via Daily Mail)

The National Institute of Health published a report that states congenital malanocytic nevi affects 1 percent of newborns. Most do not reach the size of Didier’s mole.

The Huffington Post reports Didier being speechless when he first glimpsed himself without the giant mole.

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Comments (90)

teddyc73
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 7:50am
Once again Im stunned by the comments. Have we gotten to the point where we can no longer show compassion to a fellow human being, in this case a child, just because they live outside our home nation’s border or dont share our ideology? Is that really where we are? “He’s not American so screw him, stop using taxpayers money” Really? “He’s a liberal, he’s a conservative, they should all go away and die” Seriously? I really hope, truly hope that the hate that is so prevalent on the internet is coming from a very very VERY small percentage of the human population. This boy had a new life because of the compassion of other people willing to help him, why cant we celebrate that and wish him well?

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- Nahum
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:13am
  I wouldn’t worry about comments. For the most part they are written by adolescents who are just trying to be clever, or shocking.
  
  Report this comment
- little big man
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:35am
  This story was on Nat G.O the other night..
  I was watching it but it was real late and had to catch some shut eye. glad to see the little fellow made out ok.
  
  As for person who feels more for the dog then the kid I can understand this also. I don’t wish this poor kid bad, but I too like dogs better. see I have no kids, but my taxes pay for everyone elses kids to do this and that. I get no child tax credits come income tax time, but get screwed instead. so yes I am more for dogs persay then kids in general.
  
  Sorry, but that’s just the way I feel and that’s my right.
  
  Report this comment
- blackyb
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:21pm
  You are spewing for nothing. Americans do more than anyone to help people. We do not have to be ordered to do anything, but we better know many of those who have been helped by Americans bite the hands that help them. These people come into our country and feed off the American people and then commit crimes unspeakable against the country and her people. This will stop because the American people owe no one anything but to pay our debts (thanks to Obama) and to keep those out who are not legal.
  
  Report this comment
- Ben Kenobi
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:42pm
  Few comments were off. Most of the bad ones seem to be from people who are stuck on stupid. They would complain if you hung them with a new rope.
  I’m glad the kid get a chance at a life. I hope he lives it well.
  
  Report this comment
- Question with BOLDness
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:24pm
  The surgery wasn’t in America was it? American tax payers didn’t pay for this, did they (we)? Didn’t she say they were going to Bogota? As far as I know, that’s not in America. The villagers took up a collection for him.
  
  I’m glad the boy got this mole removed.
  
  Report this comment
Deborah
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:45am
Why is this being politicized? Thank God for the surgeon who gave of himself to give this boy a life!! Thank you, Dr. Bulstrode!!

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- NC1
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 9:44am
  Amen to that.
  
  Report this comment
- Mainer forever
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:38am
  Absoulty Right……Little kids are Gods gifts.
  
  Report this comment
- DesdemonasCrew
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:25pm
  I am totally in agreement with. Nobody deserves our charity more than kids.
  
  Report this comment
MrObvious
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:17am
Good story, about the kid – good for him. I gladly contribute to private organizations that help people in need. There are many that bring food and medicine to the 3rd world.

Notice: I said private organizations.

Public organizations (IE government) should not be in charge of charity work. Letting them engage in that, without offering us opt-outs in advance, as we all have for over a century, risks having excessive centralized power, like we’re experiencing now.

All charitable expenditures of our federal government should be optionally contributed to, on a program by program basis and, in some larger instances, case by case.

The same power that lets our government help that one boy has allowed it to indirectly (and in some cases directly) harm millions of others.

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maryjanesuncle
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 5:31am
Its seems both sides have low life’s…if you judge by these comments.

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IOWAGIR
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:40am
I am shocked and maybe shouldn’t be by some of the cold hearted remarks. A child is a child no matter where he or she is from. This was a nice story about a child and charity. Doctors who perform miracles are angles of mercy on this Earth. God bless them and all the children.

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- nelbert
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:32am
  Agree. It almost makes one feel soiled for being on the same site as some of these folk.
  
  Good wishes to the child and his family and to all those who aided in this endeavor.
  
  Report this comment
- glennpatstu
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:03pm
  Yup. And how many of the people making these comments call themselves Christian? Probably all of them. Disgusting really. But then again, it must be hard to be a conservative Christian- your faith preaches selflessness, but your politics preach total selfishness. See Ayn Rand- basically says, screw you, I’ve got mine. Very Christian indeed.
  
  Report this comment
LameLiberals
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:42am
Here is a sad story about an American dog. I feel for it and the American owners. I feel zip for this kid and his mother-just keep my taxpayer money out of their pockets.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2171141/Heartbreaking-photo-shows-grief-dog-owner-moments-police-shoot-dead-friendly-family-pet.html

Heartbreaking photo/video shows grief stricken dog owner after police shoot family pet when chasing a bunch of kids.

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- nelbert
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:29am
  Brain …
  Grow one and attach the stem.
  
  Report this comment
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:16am
  What is it about lameliberals that feel more for animals or some ecological cause than their fellow human beings. Oh yes…lost and faithless. Thank God ,literally, that Jesus did not think like you
  
  Report this comment
- IOWAGIR
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:18am
  I pitty you. What happed to you that you have more sympothy for a dog than a child. That’s just sad and scarry. I’m sure you’re a tree hugger. Your user name should just be LAME.
  
  Report this comment
- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:19am
  You need to learn to speak English. What about “people from all over Columbia raised money for his surgery” do you find confusing?
  
  Since you’re so concerned about money you should be please to know most local community colleges offer no cost adult literacy and GED classes. Why don’t you give them a call and see if they can help you. I realize there’s no cure for stupid, but I’m certain they can’t make you any dumber so you’ve got nothing to lose.
  
  Report this comment
- LameLiberals
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:00pm
  The USA cannot save the world and it is no use trying to. We are TRILLIONS in debt. If the Colombians raised money for him – GREAT. Stay out of my pocket. And yes, I do care more for an American pet than I do for any human overseas or in Mexico. The pity party is over.
  
  We have children in THIS COUNTRY who have pity stories. The Blaze needs to concentrate on THEM and forget the others.
  
  Report this comment
- glennpatstu
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:12pm
  Lameliberal- are you a Christian? Wait, let me rephrase that since clearly you aren’t- do you claim to be Christian?
  
  Report this comment
- Conservative-Atheist
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:13pm
  @LameLiberals
  I feel zip for this kid and his mother
  
  How pathetic are you? (doesn’t require an answer)
  
  Report this comment
LameLiberals
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:29am
ENOUGH of parading children around tugging at USA heartstrings. I am NOT concerned at all. Let Columbia pay for their own people’s healthcare and natural catastrophes, etc. I flat out REFUSE to give to any organizations that assist any people other than LEGAL American citizens (young and old)

Obama gave $3 BILLION to Columbia to build a new oil refinery? It was a loan – LOL!! We will NEVER see a penny. The USA has not build a new oil refinery since 1976!!!! Ours are old, inefficient and cause higher gasoline prices because there are so few of them.

Guess where Columbia is selling their refined oil to? The USA – NOPE!! CHINA- YES.

http://mb50.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/u-s-govt-agency-plans-2-84-billion-loan-for-oil-refineryin-colombia/

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- beekeeper
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 7:51am
  Our domestic oil refineries are no t in as sad a state as you describe:
  
  We haven’t built a new refinery because the paperwork/hurdles to jump through are incredible, compared with simple “expansion” of existing refineries
  
  We don’t have a capacity problem, remember the Keystone Pipeline XL – the whole point of it was to bring crude oil from Canada to refineries in the Gulf region that have the capacity to process it, and reduce oil imports from overseas
  
  You’d be hard pressed to find any original pieces in any domestic oil refinery – through near-constant improvements and expansions, most refineries have been effectively rebuilt at least once since they were constructed.
  
  Report this comment
- Libertyluvnmomma
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:23am
  Lamebot- aren’t you special. pat yourself on your own back for your fiscally moral generosity.
  
  It’s so refreshing to see you standing on that side of the line you drew.
  
  Report this comment
- bikerr
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:05am
  @ lameliberals–You posted in part “I flat out REFUSE to give to any organizations that assist any people other than LEGAL American citizens (young and old) “.—–Columbia is in South America, the people living there are still AMERICANS!. Stop making a fool of yourself. Yes ,you did say at first USA ,but then said the above. Your arrogance is showing.
  
  Report this comment
- Basharr
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:07pm
  I have to say my heart goes out to any human being facing something like this. Anybody who is to jaded to understand compassion needs a wake-up call about the merits of humanity.
  
  Report this comment
trueamerican40
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:29am
I’ll take an 11 lb. mole anyday over a 1000 lb. cross that I have to carry every day. Sheesh! If this kid had to rely on Obamacare…this poor kid would be swallowed by it eventually.

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Captain Crunch
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:51am
“If Obama had a mole….”.

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- Tidbit
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 7:06am
  Good one!!!
  
  Report this comment
- BehindTheMouth
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:50am
  He does, his brain
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:27am
Aren’t their over the counter medicines for mole removal.

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:21am
  warts. not moles.
  
  Report this comment
RagingClam
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:50am
You fools!!! Don’t you recognize one of Heinlein’s Puppet Masters when you see one??

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Coyote6
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:17am
Amazing. I makes you feel grateful for what you have. Notice all the help he got from his neighbors. That’s what charitable people do. They don’t need government.

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GENE BLISTER
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:01am
“…Yes, nice to mole you… MEET you! Nice to meet your mole! Don’t say mole… I said mole.”
“Mole…… Mole…… MOLEY, MOLEY, MOLEY, MOLEY, MOLEY!!!”
“MOLE!! BLOODY MOLE!! We’re not supposed to talk about the bloody mole, but there’s a bloody mole WINKING ME IN THE FACE!!”

Sorry. It had to be said. Now its out and over.

Best of luck to you son. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:50am
Well if you have to have an affliction he had a cool one.
Turtle boy indeed, Best wishes

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lylejk
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:45am
God bless the surgeons who healed this lad. I can care less how the expense was paid for. There comes a point where humanity has to be considered. Let’s not let the various petty arguments/differences tarnish this cool story folks. Again, I just appreciate that there are folks with compassion that still exists. You can not put a cost as far as this child and his family are concerned since the curse of ridicule has been lifted. A very uplifting; a great story Blaze and thanks for sharing it. :)

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- gosutag
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:29am
  Can’t care less*
  Explanation: Being incapable of caring less shows that the farthest extent of not caring has been reached.
  
  Report this comment
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:12am
  Gosutag
  No one cares that you are insensitive. Why read the article or even respond if you really don’t care?
  
  Explanation: Faithless occupier of mother’s basement.
  
  Report this comment
- Atrum Angelis
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:25am
  @CABERNETQHS
  
  He was correcting Lylejk’s bad use of the phrase “could/can care less” when it should be “couldn’t care less.” Context is important, especially before you throw insults.
  
  Report this comment
pwatkins
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:42am
God bless him. He is a precious child and hope he has a happy life.

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- Government_Goodies
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 7:27am
  Amen.
  
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Diane TX
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:35am
If you watched the video you know that “regular people from all over Columbia donated what they could to help this child”. That works out so much better than a government handout.

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:36am
  could not watch video. The picture with the winning smile was all i needed. Every child is a child of GOD
  
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oswell
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:21am
Yeah Democrats would have fined his parents and put them in jail for not having insurance.

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- glennpatstu
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:04pm
  Oh, I see- you don’t understand the law. cute.
  
  Report this comment
- januscatinhat
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:39pm
  There are those who give to rescue animal hospitals and those who give to rescue children hospitals. Politics seems to have nothing to do with it. Maturity and compassion seems to be involved. Humongous lack of maturity in both political parties, but there does seems to be a tad bit of compassion in one, but that seems to be fading fast. Seems both parties are on a slippery slope, but that’s a good thing. Then we could be again with truth, honesty, integrity, dedication to the honor of service, and such as a starting point for humbly “leading” the good people whose taxes they should openly reveal how they are being spent, not secretly spend on random mistresses/misters and other secret projects…just saying there is a better way… This child may one day bestow his talents and gifts upon humanity and know the belittlers are merely to be ignored. We will likely have to support them one day…
  
  Report this comment
Verceofreason
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:11am
Republicans would have told him to get a job at the circus.
As Eric Cantor like to say, :”You’re only entitles to the care you can afford.”
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- mkw22
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:22am
  I can’t type what I would like to because my response would be redacted. What an idiot you are.
  
  Report this comment
- TxSon
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:23am
  People probably thought you were a moron. Then you posted your ignorance and removed any doubt.
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:44am
  Its amazing that this child was treated in Columbia (for a price the citizens of his community paid (Charity) I might add). Normally, they send them to a children’s hospital here in the States at no charge. Well this fairness thing Obama and the Democrats has going is working out really well. Charitable work by American hospitals appears to be slowing to nonexistent. I guess its all the illegals we have allowed into our country for the sake of votes that has our hospitals seemingly unable or unwilling to do charitable work any longer… And the inverse good news is it is only going to get inversely better if we allow Obama care to remain law…
  
  Report this comment
- Halloween
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:34am
  The way this kid was treat by his community is the way “Republicans” say things should work. Not having some government program that requires stifling taxes and feelgood slogans. You might want to take up donations so you can get a brain.
  
  Report this comment
- Blazebanned
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:59am
  @verceofreason aka encinom.
  Your stupidity never ceases to amaze me.And by the way *******,it should be likes not like,moron.
  
  Report this comment
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 9:08am
  You are evil
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:41am
  Please stop calling me seven asterisks it’s very childish!
  
  Report this comment
RLTW
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:37pm
This little man carried the weight of ridicule on his back literally, if he survived that he will survive the life ahead.
Good journey kid.

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magesticeagle
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:35pm
zdvhmlut

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KeystoneState
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:35pm
Holy Moley! He looks happy now! God bless him!

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Meyvn
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:28pm
God bless him. I wish him the best.

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ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:24pm
Obamacare would have done nothing for this child – all you supporters need to realize this.

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- ohnomrbill
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:31pm
  WTF do you mean the child is from another country
  
  Report this comment
- henryKnox
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:13am
  If he were under obamacaretax he would be what they refer to as undesireable. He also wouldn’t be paying taxes so he would not have the worth to society to invest in the surgery. As the Progressives say ‘let him prove his worth to us’, let him prove to us that he deserves for us to keep him alive. Obamacare is the definition of evil.
  
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- Verceofreason
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:15am
  No. We don’t.
  
  Report this comment
- scuba13
  Posted on July 10, 2012 at 7:16am
  Verce you need that mole removed from your neck…Oh sorry that’s your head.
  
  Report this comment
thenewhickschick
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:14pm
May God bless this darling child! I pray he does well in school and this experience only gives him strength of character.

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- Stephen Markovich
  Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:20pm
  Absolutely! God bless him all the time!
  
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