04:21Fourteen-year-old Anna Korchagina from Novosibirsk, Russia, has a rare genetic disorder known as Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome - but hasn't let that stop her becoming a social media sensation.
Footage captured on October 24 shows Anna working on her makeup and creating new content for her YouTube channel, which boasts an impressive 928,000 subscribers. Anna shares a variety of entertaining videos, including makeup tutorials, dance routines, and personal updates.
Commonly referred to as Progeria, her condition leads to premature ageing and other health complications, but Anna continues to live life to the full.
Progeria typically presents in children between the ages of 2 and 3, leading to rapid ageing and significant physical challenges affecting the skin, skeletal structure, and cardiovascular system.
Despite only 206 known cases globally, Anna's spirit remains and refers to herself as 'Dobby', a nickname inspired by the beloved house-elf character from the Harry Potter series.
"I started TikTok. And already back on TikTok with my old nickname, I started getting messages in the comments when I was already in the feed, I started going viral. People began to write that I looked like Dobby from Harry Potter. And we decided that Dobby is a pretty good character, kind, and basically helpful. And we decided why not. If there are so many comparisons, why not call me Anya Dobby?" the young influencer explained.
In addition to her YouTube endeavours, Anna finds inspiration in creativity and cherishes time spent with her school friends and a new, furrier addition to the family.
"I recently got a tablet that was designed for drawing, so it has everything for that. And lately I've been drawing, trying to do so. <...> I got a dog not too long ago. He'll be nine months old soon. I enjoy spending time with him and we're also teaching him some commands. We go for walks together, as well as to the park with my dad and the dog," the teenager shared.
Anna's father, Maxim Korchagin, revealed that his daughter is registered at Boston Children's Hospital in the US, at the forefront of treatment for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome. Anna receives medication from the hospital free of charge, which has the potential to extend her life expectancy by 25 per cent.
"A treatment has in fact been developed, a fundamentally important one, but again, it's only been tested on animals, on mice. At the DNA level, a one-time drug is introduced that changes the DNA and fixes it,” he explained.
Anna lives in the moment, takes every day as it comes, and cherishes her experiences, such as her recent trip to the Black Sea.
Changing attitudes! 'Dobby Girl' influencer with rare genetic disorder... and over 900,000 YouTube fans
Fourteen-year-old Anna Korchagina from Novosibirsk, Russia, has a rare genetic disorder known as Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome - but hasn't let that stop her becoming a social media sensation.
Footage captured on October 24 shows Anna working on her makeup and creating new content for her YouTube channel, which boasts an impressive 928,000 subscribers. Anna shares a variety of entertaining videos, including makeup tutorials, dance routines, and personal updates.
Commonly referred to as Progeria, her condition leads to premature ageing and other health complications, but Anna continues to live life to the full.
Progeria typically presents in children between the ages of 2 and 3, leading to rapid ageing and significant physical challenges affecting the skin, skeletal structure, and cardiovascular system.
Despite only 206 known cases globally, Anna's spirit remains and refers to herself as 'Dobby', a nickname inspired by the beloved house-elf character from the Harry Potter series.
"I started TikTok. And already back on TikTok with my old nickname, I started getting messages in the comments when I was already in the feed, I started going viral. People began to write that I looked like Dobby from Harry Potter. And we decided that Dobby is a pretty good character, kind, and basically helpful. And we decided why not. If there are so many comparisons, why not call me Anya Dobby?" the young influencer explained.
In addition to her YouTube endeavours, Anna finds inspiration in creativity and cherishes time spent with her school friends and a new, furrier addition to the family.
"I recently got a tablet that was designed for drawing, so it has everything for that. And lately I've been drawing, trying to do so. <...> I got a dog not too long ago. He'll be nine months old soon. I enjoy spending time with him and we're also teaching him some commands. We go for walks together, as well as to the park with my dad and the dog," the teenager shared.
Anna's father, Maxim Korchagin, revealed that his daughter is registered at Boston Children's Hospital in the US, at the forefront of treatment for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome. Anna receives medication from the hospital free of charge, which has the potential to extend her life expectancy by 25 per cent.
"A treatment has in fact been developed, a fundamentally important one, but again, it's only been tested on animals, on mice. At the DNA level, a one-time drug is introduced that changes the DNA and fixes it,” he explained.
Anna lives in the moment, takes every day as it comes, and cherishes her experiences, such as her recent trip to the Black Sea.
Fourteen-year-old Anna Korchagina from Novosibirsk, Russia, has a rare genetic disorder known as Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome - but hasn't let that stop her becoming a social media sensation.
Footage captured on October 24 shows Anna working on her makeup and creating new content for her YouTube channel, which boasts an impressive 928,000 subscribers. Anna shares a variety of entertaining videos, including makeup tutorials, dance routines, and personal updates.
Commonly referred to as Progeria, her condition leads to premature ageing and other health complications, but Anna continues to live life to the full.
Progeria typically presents in children between the ages of 2 and 3, leading to rapid ageing and significant physical challenges affecting the skin, skeletal structure, and cardiovascular system.
Despite only 206 known cases globally, Anna's spirit remains and refers to herself as 'Dobby', a nickname inspired by the beloved house-elf character from the Harry Potter series.
"I started TikTok. And already back on TikTok with my old nickname, I started getting messages in the comments when I was already in the feed, I started going viral. People began to write that I looked like Dobby from Harry Potter. And we decided that Dobby is a pretty good character, kind, and basically helpful. And we decided why not. If there are so many comparisons, why not call me Anya Dobby?" the young influencer explained.
In addition to her YouTube endeavours, Anna finds inspiration in creativity and cherishes time spent with her school friends and a new, furrier addition to the family.
"I recently got a tablet that was designed for drawing, so it has everything for that. And lately I've been drawing, trying to do so. <...> I got a dog not too long ago. He'll be nine months old soon. I enjoy spending time with him and we're also teaching him some commands. We go for walks together, as well as to the park with my dad and the dog," the teenager shared.
Anna's father, Maxim Korchagin, revealed that his daughter is registered at Boston Children's Hospital in the US, at the forefront of treatment for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome. Anna receives medication from the hospital free of charge, which has the potential to extend her life expectancy by 25 per cent.
"A treatment has in fact been developed, a fundamentally important one, but again, it's only been tested on animals, on mice. At the DNA level, a one-time drug is introduced that changes the DNA and fixes it,” he explained.
Anna lives in the moment, takes every day as it comes, and cherishes her experiences, such as her recent trip to the Black Sea.