A MUM who is covered in thousands of tumours says she gets abused in the street by strangers who think shes contagious.

Ashley Jernigan, 35, from Montgomery, Alabama, has neurofibromatosis - a rare genetic condition which causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.


The single mum-of-four was diagnosed when she hit puberty but says the condition has worsened after each of her pregnancies.

She says she now faces daily stares and claims people avoid her because they fear they might catch the illness - even though its not contagious.

Ashley said: “With this condition, you can still live life like any other normal person.

"It’s just the bullying you have to deal with. It takes a strong person to overcome what people say.

People say ‘look at her, where did she come from and what’s wrong with her’

Ashley Jernigan

“It’s hard, it’s really rough, and depressing.

"When I go out, people stare and make rude gestures.

"They say ‘look at her, where did she come from and what’s wrong with her’."



The full time mum says the lumps all over her body have also left her feeling like shell never find love.

“I don’t want to date because of the stares. A man wouldn’t accept me," she said.

"It would take a strong man to appreciate me for who I am and look past my condition.”

It would take a strong man to appreciate me for who I am and look past my condition

Ashley

Her mum Lisa died of neurofibromatosis, which affects one in 3,000 people, when she was just 25.

Ashley was advised by doctors not to have children as it would make the condition worse.

But she went on ignore this advice and have four children, Darnell, 15, Devon, 14, Keonna, eight, and Kaiden, five - but said with every pregnancy the condition did worsen.

Ashley wants to spread the word that the condition isn’t contagious, but said some of the lumps on her body leave her in too much pain to wear shoes.

Although there is a chance her children could also have or develop the genetic illness, she doesnt want to have them tested for the condition.

She added: “Kids are more curious and understanding, they think its chickenpox or ant bites but I just say I was born like this.”



“I don’t know how far back in my family it goes but my grandmother was covered in them, from head to toe.

“Darnell has it, but my others aren’t showing signs yet.

"I can get them tested but I don’t want to know. I’ll be pretty upset if I find out they have it.”



Ashley has rejected surgery to remove the tumours as there’s a chance this could make them come back even bigger.

She said: “They can turn into cancer so I have to keep an eye on them.

"I worry about the future but I try not to think about it because it’s depressing.”

is there no cure? this is too much? oh no.

Boys no send. Dem go chow her like that of she serve come. Make one better aza man control her come naija bros na pre wedding pictures straight. Boys no send


Jokes apart though. You can't find love but you born four. How you take born am? By the power of the Holy Spirit?
If I were her I no go born at all if there is a chance my kids will have them. For the kids Wey catch am go swear give mama later in the future

Please add "graphic pictures"

OP what exactly should I do with this?

add graphic pictures. See goosebumps everywhere in this harmattan period.

But honestly if no man can love you, maybe a strong woman would or a lady-boy/tranny.

This is bad. So bad the guy on the TV screen is surprised too @ last pic.

This is great wrenching.