Mark Davidson Jacildo, from the Philippines, has hands with a combined weight of about 9kg (nearly 20lbs) due to an ultra-rare congenital condition called macrodactyly. At just seven years old, doctors offered to operate on them but warned there was a chance he could lose his hands altogether. He turned the surgery down and has since learned to live with hands so large they weigh more than some small children.
Facing an impossible decision
Mark appeared live on Tuesday's This Morning via video call from the Philippines, speaking to hosts Rylan Clark and Josie Gibson. Macrodactyly causes abnormal growth of the fingers and surrounding tissues, including the bones, soft tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. In Mark's case, his left hand weighs almost 7kg (15lbs), and his right hand weighs about 2kg (4.5lbs).
During the interview, Rylan pointed out that there are potentially surgical options that could reduce the size and weight of Mark's hands. Mark then revealed that the decision was one he had already faced as a young boy. “Yes, I was given that option when I was seven years old,” he said. “We went to a doctor, and the doctor said that I could undergo a surgery where they can lessen or probably reduce the weight of it.”
Why he said no
But the potential consequences left Mark and his family facing an impossible decision. “However, the negative side of it is if the procedure didn't go successfully, there's a possibility that my hands would get amputated,” he explained. Mark said his father ultimately gave him the choice. “My father gave me the option - he gave me a chance to decide, and I said no.”
There was a very simple reason why the seven-year-old felt he did not need to take the risk. “By seven, I was already top of my class at school,” Mark said. “I can play basketball. I can, you know, keep up with other kids. So, you know, at that time, I wasn't really looking at doing anything with my hands.”
Adapting and raising awareness
Instead, Mark began learning how to adapt. “I've learned to adapt to it, you know, I learned to keep up,” he said. His hands may look dramatically different, but Mark has shown that they have not stopped him from living his life. He has learned how to carry out everyday tasks and has continued to pursue the things he enjoys, refusing to let his rare condition define him.
Now Mark is speaking out to raise awareness of macrodactyly and to help people understand what life is really like with a condition that very few people have ever encountered. This Morning airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
