Human Barbie Doll Has Muscular Dystrophy

Amber Guzman has a crippling genetic condition that she says makes her a real life Barbie doll.

19:46 29 July 2015

Amber Guzman, the human Barbie, has a genetic condition that makes her a real life toy. The 28-year-old has muscular dystrophy that progressively weakens and wastes her muscles. For this reason, she has to be carried everywhere just like a doll.

 

She said: "A true living doll is what I am, not only in my looks but physically.

 

"Just like a doll needs help to move everything on its body to get around, I am the same way.

 

"Because of my muscular dystrophy, I always need to be picked up or set down in a seat just like a doll does.

 

"And it also makes me look skinny, which a lot of people say is like a Barbie too.

 

"I love being compared to a living doll. It is what I truly feel like I am now and I'm happy to be one. Being a doll has saved me."

 

She added: "My parents put me into modelling when I was very young as people always referred to my looks as doll-like.

 

"Even when I walked around on the streets or in a shopping mall, people would stop and stare calling me a dolly girl.

 

"I also loved playing with Barbies and my mum would buy me lots of different ones."

Amber was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in November 2012.

 

"The doctor told me what muscular dystrophy was and how few people, if any, survive long with it. I was scared.

 

"One day, suddenly something just snapped in me and I decided to change my life.

 

"I realised that my muscular dystrophy was turning me into a real living doll.

 

"Being unable to move more and more as the days go by can drive anyone crazy and cause them to get frustrated with themselves.

 

"But when I started seeing myself as a living doll who needs to be picked up all the time, it helps me to not be so sad and upset.

 

"I just see it as a transformation into the living doll. I loved Barbies so much as a child.

 

"My muscular dystrophy also makes me look quite skinny which a lot of people say is dolly or Barbie-like."