Aussie girl diagnosed with Uncombable Hair syndrome
A girl from Melbourne has a rare condition that makes her hair as uncontrollable as scientist Albert Einstein’s.
Seven-year-old Shilah Calvert-Yin’s blonde locks are caused by a condition known as Uncombable Hair Syndrome, which is believed to impact only 100 people worldwide.
Shilah receives a lot of attention from her hair but she likes how it makes her unique.
She has been likened to Einstein and Doc Brown from Back To The Future, but she doesn’t mind as it is one of her favourite movies.
"It's not ordinary and it's not boring like everyone else's,” said Shilah.
"Everyone knows me and remembers me – especially at school; all the grade levels know who I am.”
"I think my friends wish they had hair like mine."
No matter how hard Shilah’s mother, Celeste, attempts to tame her hair it proves to be uncontrollable.
The family were unaware that her hair was due to a condition until a doctor diagnosed her with Uncombable Hair Syndrome nine months ago.
The syndrome is caused by a mutation to one of three genes: PADI3, TGM3 and TCHH. There is no cure, however, it is believed that her hair will become more manageable as she grows older.
Shilah has had a go at modelling, which her family hopes will show the positives to embracing a condition.
"Shilah draws attention everywhere she goes and always has since her hair grew through at about three months old,” said Celeste.
"Her older brother, Taelan, has been a fantastic support when other children make comments towards her or even touch her."
“Having said that, adults can be just as juvenile and say some of the most random things or take photos of her and even touch her hair.”
"Shilah is used to all the attention and has begun to manipulate and work situations in her favour.”
"Hence why we decided that modelling will embrace her unique look and she has the personality and attitude to pull it off."
Image credit: Shilah Madison via Instagram