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Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by LillyandDaisy: 7:20pm On May 26, 2022
Four years ago, when Chris Alvarez started ninth grade at the Henry Viscardi School, he already had his sights set on becoming high school valedictorian.

“People underestimate me,” said Alvarez, 18. “Doctors told me I would die at age 5, but I’m still here. I want to continue to show people that they shouldn’t underestimate me because of my disability.”

Alvarez began his journey at the Viscardi School, a school for students with severe physical disabilities in Albertson, in pre-K.

At age 2, he was diagnosed with thanatophoric dysplasia Type 2, a severe condition causing skeletal underdevelopment in the chest, rib cage and limbs. His disorder has confined him to a wheelchair, and he uses a ventilator at all times to supply air to his lungs, which are also underdeveloped. Alvarez has lived longer than expected for people with this condition, and out of the six people in the world with this disorder, he is the second oldest.

Even though being valedictorian of his graduating class had been a dream for many years, Alvarez said it was a surprise when he was officially announced as valedictorian.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “There was tight competition, but luckily I got it.”

For Alvarez, it was great honor to be able to represent his school in such a way. The most exciting part, he said, was being allowed to give a speech at his graduation.

“He came to the school when he was almost a baby, and he has just blossomed,” said Jeanette Glover, clinical support services and admissions coordinater at the Viscardi School. “He had such a big personality that his disability is secondary. We are very proud of him for his academic achievements, but also for the young man he’s grown up to be.”

Alvarez credits the Viscardi School for providing him and the other students with a proper academic education and also allowing them to become involved in extracurricular activities, such as basketball and student council. He graduated with a Regents diploma and was the captain of the school’s basketball team.

“I never thought I was going to be able to get a ball in my hand, and obviously I was too short to touch the basketball hoop,” he said. “I always watched basketball, and I always wanted to do the same. This school gave me an opportunity to play.”

To include students with different disabilities on the basketball team, the school provides three nets of varying height. While each player shoots at their level of ability, Alvarez notes that it is still very competitive and challenging.

“Being part of the team was like being a part of another family because you get to know students that you don’t really talk to during a regular school day,” he said. “Since it’s hard for us to get around and meet up outside of school, it gave us an opportunity to share time together.”

Alvarez also said that being a student at the Viscardi School has taught him many life lessons, such as how to persevere in difficult situations, there is something new to learn every day and sky is truly the limit.

Alvarez said the biggest lesson he has learned is that people are the ones who create limits for themselves. These lessons have translated to Alvarez’s positive outlook on life and confidence, he said.

“You never know when you’re going to go, and I live every day like its the last day with a smile on my face,” he said. “People who have it all don’t take advantage. I have no bones, I have no lungs, but I’m still here.”

With all Alvarez has achieved so far, he said he has much more he would like to accomplish.

He has been accepted at Adelphi University and will begin taking classes in the fall as a communications major and a student in the College Science Advancement Program. He has also been named as a finalist for a talent scholarship through Adelphi’s Department of Communications.

Alvarez said he dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist, and at a young age he has already had significant experience in the field.

Through an internship with a Spanish television channel, Alvarez has interviewed dozens of celebrities, many from the Hispanic community.

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias and Maroon 5 are among those Alvarez has interviewed.

“My favorite part about journalism is getting to know different people and writing about different lifestyles and cultures,” he said. “I also enjoy seeing the way each person thinks about life.”

As his journey at the Viscardi School comes to an end, it is clear to Alvarez that the school has had a great impact on his life, but according to staff, he has also affected the teachers, faculty, and students at the school.

“He’s living proof that yes, he has a disability but we’re all the same,” said Kim Brussell, associate vice president of development and external relations. “Chris has a lot of confidence, but he is always thinking about others. He speaks well and is very motivated. He is a great model for other students at Viscardi. We will miss having him around.”

8 Likes

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by pennywys(m): 7:28pm On May 26, 2022
wink

Things dey ooooo
The ones our eyes never seen nor ears heard


Las las we thank baba God for every blessings

15 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by bewla(m): 7:32pm On May 26, 2022
G

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by robinso01(m): 10:05pm On May 26, 2022
Different different people dey this world.

4 Likes

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by YangaBabe: 10:10pm On May 26, 2022
When you see some things, all you can say is "thank God".

3 Likes

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Blake755: 10:38pm On May 26, 2022
Omo e be thing ooo imagine someone crying cuz he didn't have shoes until he meets someone without legs and still be thankful

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by LifeOfTrigga(m): 11:28pm On May 26, 2022
Blake755:
Omo e be thing ooo imagine someone crying cuz he didn't have shoes until he meets someone without legs and still be thankful

This one get lucky say be naija e dey, dem go kidnap m use as sacrifice for ritual grin cheesy grin grin grin

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Sabadon(m): 11:58pm On May 26, 2022
Omo.....things really dey this small world of ours o

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Nobody: 12:19am On May 27, 2022
Hmmmmmmmmm

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Nobody: 12:31am On May 27, 2022
lipsrsealed thank God for my live

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Blake755: 1:04am On May 27, 2022
LifeOfTrigga:


This one get lucky say be naija e dey, dem go kidnap m use as sacrifice for ritual grin cheesy grin grin grin
I swear nah just to carry him put for sack bag cheesy grin

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Nobody: 3:49am On May 27, 2022
Nawaoo


Meanwhile, if you need a new website for your business or a crypto investment website at an affordable rate, contact us today @ 07011899545 or visit our website

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by LifeOfTrigga(m): 4:34am On May 27, 2022
Blake755:

I swear nah just to carry him put for sack bag cheesy grin

Used Cement bag self for contain m

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by OKOATA(m): 6:46am On May 27, 2022
This guy reminds me of Erikino, for those wey de watch Yoruba movies in those days. It was every kids nightmare then, you dare not watch TV at night because they will surely show that short demon..

3 Likes

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Xunaz: 7:00am On May 27, 2022
Omo

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by SNEFF: 7:18am On May 27, 2022
sometimes, all we need to do is gratitude..

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by BigDawsNet: 8:01am On May 27, 2022
Thank you father

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by JoyousFurnitire(m): 8:17am On May 27, 2022
Congratulations Chris! Can only get better and I wish you well in your communications/journalism journey.

Hopefully Colleges here can adopt many things from Henry Viscardi School and everyone learn that we're all human with great potentials.

1 Like

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by ately1(m): 8:39am On May 27, 2022
Very impressive
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Rickmann: 8:49am On May 27, 2022
SheunDataPlug:
Omo embarassed



We are your sure plug for affordable data bundle


How realistic is it for one to pay just 300 naira for 1g worth of data that'll last for 30 days?

C'mon, Its just common sense.

Nigerians sef.
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Barims(m): 8:55am On May 27, 2022
I wonder why people thanks God for useless things,,

Pathetic lipsrsealed lipsrsealed fvck God
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Cloud2News: 9:56am On May 27, 2022
LillyandDaisy:
Four years ago, when Chris Alvarez started ninth grade at the Henry Viscardi School, he already had his sights set on becoming high school valedictorian.

“People underestimate me,” said Alvarez, 18. “Doctors told me I would die at age 5, but I’m still here. I want to continue to show people that they shouldn’t underestimate me because of my disability.”

Alvarez began his journey at the Viscardi School, a school for students with severe physical disabilities in Albertson, in pre-K.

At age 2, he was diagnosed with thanatophoric dysplasia Type 2, a severe condition causing skeletal underdevelopment in the chest, rib cage and limbs. His disorder has confined him to a wheelchair, and he uses a ventilator at all times to supply air to his lungs, which are also underdeveloped. Alvarez has lived longer than expected for people with this condition, and out of the six people in the world with this disorder, he is the second oldest.

Even though being valedictorian of his graduating class had been a dream for many years, Alvarez said it was a surprise when he was officially announced as valedictorian.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “There was tight competition, but luckily I got it.”

For Alvarez, it was great honor to be able to represent his school in such a way. The most exciting part, he said, was being allowed to give a speech at his graduation.

“He came to the school when he was almost a baby, and he has just blossomed,” said Jeanette Glover, clinical support services and admissions coordinater at the Viscardi School. “He had such a big personality that his disability is secondary. We are very proud of him for his academic achievements, but also for the young man he’s grown up to be.”

Alvarez credits the Viscardi School for providing him and the other students with a proper academic education and also allowing them to become involved in extracurricular activities, such as basketball and student council. He graduated with a Regents diploma and was the captain of the school’s basketball team.

“I never thought I was going to be able to get a ball in my hand, and obviously I was too short to touch the basketball hoop,” he said. “I always watched basketball, and I always wanted to do the same. This school gave me an opportunity to play.”

To include students with different disabilities on the basketball team, the school provides three nets of varying height. While each player shoots at their level of ability, Alvarez notes that it is still very competitive and challenging.

“Being part of the team was like being a part of another family because you get to know students that you don’t really talk to during a regular school day,” he said. “Since it’s hard for us to get around and meet up outside of school, it gave us an opportunity to share time together.”

Alvarez also said that being a student at the Viscardi School has taught him many life lessons, such as how to persevere in difficult situations, there is something new to learn every day and sky is truly the limit.

Alvarez said the biggest lesson he has learned is that people are the ones who create limits for themselves. These lessons have translated to Alvarez’s positive outlook on life and confidence, he said.

“You never know when you’re going to go, and I live every day like its the last day with a smile on my face,” he said. “People who have it all don’t take advantage. I have no bones, I have no lungs, but I’m still here.”

With all Alvarez has achieved so far, he said he has much more he would like to accomplish.

He has been accepted at Adelphi University and will begin taking classes in the fall as a communications major and a student in the College Science Advancement Program. He has also been named as a finalist for a talent scholarship through Adelphi’s Department of Communications.

Alvarez said he dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist, and at a young age he has already had significant experience in the field.

Through an internship with a Spanish television channel, Alvarez has interviewed dozens of celebrities, many from the Hispanic community.

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias and Maroon 5 are among those Alvarez has interviewed.

“My favorite part about journalism is getting to know different people and writing about different lifestyles and cultures,” he said. “I also enjoy seeing the way each person thinks about life.”

As his journey at the Viscardi School comes to an end, it is clear to Alvarez that the school has had a great impact on his life, but according to staff, he has also affected the teachers, faculty, and students at the school.

“He’s living proof that yes, he has a disability but we’re all the same,” said Kim Brussell, associate vice president of development and external relations. “Chris has a lot of confidence, but he is always thinking about others. He speaks well and is very motivated. He is a great model for other students at Viscardi. We will miss having him around.”
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Cloud2News: 9:57am On May 27, 2022
Life is best when live from the mind because it can reset #chidi young today
Barims:
I wonder why people thanks God for useless things,,

Pathetic lipsrsealed lipsrsealed fvck God
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Cloud2News: 10:01am On May 27, 2022
There is no such a thing as useless, every thing has a reason for which it occur and God made them all that way. #chidi young today
Barims:
I wonder why people thanks God for useless things,,

Pathetic lipsrsealed lipsrsealed fvck God
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Axis313(m): 10:52am On May 27, 2022
pennywys:
wink

Things dey ooooo
The ones our eyes never seen nor ears heard


Las las we thank baba God for every blessings
I am very sure if na my own country and some parts in Africa this man was born into,people would have termed him as a demon incarnate.He wouldn't even live up to this age sef because his people will definitely abandon him for evil forest.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by Nobody: 11:38am On May 27, 2022
I'm not impressed about the whole story.

the condition was discovered at 2 for that matter, why suffer the kid with all this procedures in the first place, they should have allow him to die rather than putting him/family through all this. thanks god this can not happen in nigeria cos such individual will experience hell on earth.
Re: Meet Chris Alvarez Oldest Man Living With Thanatophoric Condition by sharpwriter(m): 11:39am On May 27, 2022
OKOATA:
This guy reminds me of Erikino, for those wey de watch Yoruba movies in those days. It was every kids nightmare then, you dare not watch TV at night because they will surely show that short demon..
Lol... Boss you don old o... Exactly where my mind went to when I saw this man here.... Na Thompson dey use Erikinọ in those days. I remember the guy for ọ̀tá pọ̀ grin

I used to run inside when Erikinọ appears on screen with blood in his mouth cheesy na God know where hin dey now... Old times

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