
Half Man - Half Tree
32 Year Old Indonesia Man Has A Extraordianry Skin Condition
He Is Known Locally As The Tree Man
32 year old Dede lives in a remote village in Indonesia with his two
children, trying to care for them. Dede, a former fisherman, has an
extraordinary skin condition: he has root like structures growing out of his
body - branches that can grow up to 5cm a year and which protrude from his hands
and feet, and welts covering his whole body.
He is known locally as 'Tree Man' and his condition has baffled local doctors
for 20 years. In an attempt to earn a living to support his family, he is part
of a circus troupe, displaying his Tree Man limbs along with others afflicted
with skin deformities in 'freak' shows.
Dr Anthony Gaspari, a world expert in skin conditions from the University of
Maryland travels to Indonesia to attempt to diagnosis Dede's mysterious
condition. He takes skin samples for biopsies back in the USA. What will he
discover?
We go on an intimate journey with the extraordinary Dede, as he tries to eek out
a living in a circus troupe to support his family, and as he is given medical
help by Dr Gaspari. The identification and possible cure of his condition, could
change his whole life.
Half way across the world, in Romania, farmer Ion Toader is discovered to have a
similar extraordinary 'Tree Man' condition, with growths all over his hands. He
has not been able to drive a tractor for five years. A Romanian surgeon offers
to give him an operation to remove his growths.
Will it be successful, and how will it change Ion's life?