In a small village tucked away in the heart of rural India, a heart-wrenching tale of prejudice and misunderstanding unfolds. The protagonist of this story is a young boy, his innocent spirit overshadowed by a cruel label imposed upon him by his community. He is shunned, not for his actions or character, but for an arbitrary physical trait that has led him to be considered a “werewolf.”

The unnamed tot’s arms, face and back are covered in a layer of thick black hair that will coarsen as he gets older.

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And new mother Manisha Sambhaji Raut, 22, from, Pune, central India, is heartbroken that her son has inherited the same genetic condition that has blighted her life.

She said: “I always felt disgusted when I saw myself in the mirror and now I wonder how my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 will cope with the same trauma.

“My sisters and I were always teased and often nicknamed ghost, bear and monkey. To know my son will also go through the pain and suffering I went through breaks my heart.”

The five-month-old 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 boy, yet to be named, has inherited a rare gene which has been passed down from Manisha’s father.

There is no known cure for Werewolf Syndrome, otherwise known as hypertrichosis universalis.It is so rare only one in a billion people are affected.Manisha added: “I was happy when I delivered a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 boy but when I realised he suffered the same syndrome as me I was very upset. I was shattered.“I wondered if I was cursed or if I made a mistake in life and God was punishing me and my son.“But he is my 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 and I will love him unconditionally the way my mother took care of me, no matter how he looks.”

Since then, they met with doctors and found a hair removal cream to use every four days to remove their heavy facial hair.

She added: “My mother-in-law has already forced me to apply the same cream on my son but his skin is too sensitive.“

He is a small 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 and is not ready for such creams. He cried in pain as his skin turned red.”Manisha is now determined to ensure her son has a happy 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood and will not be bullied like she and her sisters were.

She continued: “My only wish is that my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 will grow up like a normal 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥.

“We lived a difficult 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood and we were locked away because people couldn’t cope with the way we looked.

“I can only hope people will be different and kinder towards my son.”