These Twins Are Identical And Share The Same Condition But Look Absolutely Nothing Alike
May 21, 2019
Adam and Neil Pearson are identical twins and share the same condition but look absolutely nothing alike. Both men suffer from neurofibromatosis, which is a rare genetic disorder that affects them in different ways. Their inspiring story is told in Jonathan Braue’s documentary, The Pearson Twins.
Even though Adam and Neil Pearson are identical twins and despite sharing the exact same genetic disorder, they look nothing alike.
RELATED: Mom Who Didn't Know She Was Pregnant Delivers Rare Set Of Twins
“I was always aware that I had the same condition as him, but also fully aware that he had the facial disfigurement and I didn’t,” Neil says.
For Adam, neurofibromatosis has led to facial disfigurement for him. Benign tumors began to form on his face when he was just a young boy. They became progressively worse as he got older.
Because of his appearance, Adam was bullied in school and is always being gawked at when he goes out in public. His mother, Marilyn Pearson, says that she and her husband tried to teach him how to deal with the constant stares.
“We always taught Adam to have eye contact and smile,” explains Marilyn. “Make it their problem, not his. But he did struggle - we all did."
Later in his schooling, Adam transferred to a Christian school because of how bad the bullying got at his old school.
"I think bullying is one of the worst things a human can do to another human," Adam says.
He also started to attend a local Baptist church. Adam says that in both places, he soon realized that he was accepted for who he was and not judged on his appearance.
“I moved from pessimism to optimism," explains Adam.
Identical Twins With Same Disease But Different Hardships
As for Neil, the struggle that neurofibromatosis brings him is a lot more hidden. He does not suffer from facial disfigurement but has neurological problems that severely impact his memory. He has short term memory loss, and it is very hard for him to retain new information. When he was a teenager, he went to a local youth club one day, only to not remember where he had just been on his return home. He also suffers from epileptic fits, which are controlled by medication which leave him very sleepy.
While neurofibromatosis drastically affects Adam and Neil’s lives, the Pearson twins don’t wish for things to be different for them. They are remarkably resilient and have learned how to live their best lives with what they’ve been given.
“You’ve got to live the life you’ve got, rather than pining after the one you wanted,” explains Neil.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Firefighters Help Save Premature Twins' Lives
In Jonathan Braue’s documentary, he hopes that it will remind viewers to not judge people at first glance but to engage with others that may seem different than you. “Instead of allowing a preconceived notion of a person to take hold in your mind, approach that person and ask questions,” Jonathan says. “Having the curiosity to understand someone’s disability is the best way to show them you care.”
What a great thing to see Adam and Neil work through the hardships in their lives and for God to use their story to encourage and inform others about what life is like in their shoes.
WATCH: Identical Twins Who Look Nothing Alike
h/t: The Atlantic
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.