Elisane Silva has spent her life trying to accept her condition and she struggled to fight with her insecurities. Society also didn't make it any easy for her as she was constantly bullied throughout her life and called names by people. However, during these tough years, Silva met the love of her life, who treated her like a normal human and made her feel confident over her height. Now living a happy life with her husband and son, Silva gives an insight into her life and dreams.
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A Brazilian woman who aspires to be a model and is considered 'one of the world's tallest woman' speaks about her life experiences living with her height.
Elisane Silva was only 10 when she realized that she is much taller than her classmates and her family members. At this young age, she was already 5ft 9in and now at 26, she measures 6ft 8in.
Silva's mom is only 5ft 4in while her dad is 5ft 7in, so it was known that the girl does not take after her parent's genes.
The doctors told Silva's parents that her increasing height was because of a benign tumor on her pituitary gland which caused giantism and an overproduction of the growth hormone.
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
Elisane had no idea about the tumor until 2010 when she had tests on live TV as her family couldn't pay for it.
Now she's known unofficially as "Brazil's tallest woman".
Elisane got married to Francinaldo Da Silva Carvalho, 31, and he stands at just 5ft 4in – 1ft 4in shorter than her.
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
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Growing up with her height, life was not always easy for Elisane as she was often bullied and called lamppost and giraffe by people around her.
She said: "I remember locking myself up at home as I felt so sick with the comments and words people were constantly saying."
"I decided to give up and it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, as I wanted to continue studying."
"At the time, I was 17, so my parents didn't have much to say on the matter and I was really lost about where to go next in life."
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
All the bullying was tough to deal with it and Elisane shares that she was lost in life and had no idea what to do. Then she met her now-husband in 2011 and the couple quickly fell in love.
Elisane detailed: "I felt an instant connection the moment I met him, that I didn't even notice his height."
"Francinaldo stands at just 5ft 4in, which is nearly 2ft shorter than me – but I didn't care."
"Although he was curious about my height and condition, he didn't make any evil comments, nor did he judge me."
"I fell for him right there and then, as he was the first person to treat me like a human being and not some freak of nature."
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
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Elisane added: "We used to get comments in the street, I'm no longer the centre of attention now we have our beautiful son."
"Angelo is already 3ft 3in at three, but I don't believe he will grow to be as tall as me because I don't think my condition is hereditary."
"I think he will grow up to be average height – but even if not, he should embrace the unique asset he has been given."
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
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Living her life with her dream man and her angelic son, Elisane now wants to work on her dream of becoming a professional model.
However, there are no agencies who are willing to pick her portfolio but the model shares that the photo sessions have helped in boosting her self-esteem and given her confidence.
She added: "I have learned to love myself for my unique height, as there's no-one quite like me and I think that's rather special."
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial
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"I have found a good man to love, have a wonderful son, a beautiful family and I am grateful to God."
"Don't let people's evil comments interfere with your life, as it's not for them to judge you based on how you look or who you love."
"Stay true to yourself and you'll live happily."
Image: MDWfeatures/@elisane_oficial