A woman’s shoulders can meet together in the middle of her body due to being born with a rare one-in-a-million condition that leaves her without collarbones.
Danielle Lewis, 33, from Cannock, Staffordshire, was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition affecting teeth and bones, which in turn, can have an impact on the spine, skull, collarbones, and legs.
Danielle was born without collarbones and has a unique party trick she showcases on social media, where she can touch her shoulders together.
Danielle Lewis, 33, from Cannock, Staffordshire, shoulders can meet together in the middle of her body due to being born with a rare one-in-a-million condition that leaves her without collarbones
Danielle was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition affecting teeth and bones, which in turn, can have an impact on the spine, skull, collarbones, and legs
She said: ‘There are only 17 families in the world that have this gene and we all meet up once a year.
‘My family knew as soon as I was born that I had cleidocranial dysplasia and as well as being born without collar bones, it’s also affected my height – I’m only 4ft 11 – as well as causing joint pain, a prominent forehead, and short limbs.
‘Being able to touch my shoulders together in front of my body is certainly my party trick and first realised I was able to do it when I was younger.
‘I was laying on my side and my shoulders were touching. My friend pointed it out to me and couldn’t believe it. I just thought everyone could do it.’
Being able to touch her shoulders together Danielle’s party trick which she showcases on her TikTok account
She wrote on her latest TikTok video that when someone asks what she ‘brings to the table’ her trick ‘works every time’
Danielle was born without collar bones and has a unique party trick she showcases on social media, where she can touch her shoulders together
Danielle has passed the rare condition on to her three kids; Ruby Angel, 13, Lily Grace, 12, and Max Thomas, six, who each share her fascinating ability to touch their shoulders together too.
The stay-at-home mother continued: ‘People are so shocked when they see us doing our party trick.
‘It’s not every day you see someone touching their shoulders together, so I think it’s even more shocking when a few of us can do it together.
‘They always want to give it a go themselves as they seem to think they’ll be able to do it as well. It makes us laugh.
The stay-at-home mum said people are ‘so shocked’ when they see her and her children doing their party trick
Danielle has passed the rare condition on to her three kids; Ruby Angel, 13, Lily Grace, 12, (pictured) and Max Thomas, six
Danielle (centre) pictured with her two daughters Ruby Angel and Lily Grace while on a summer holiday
Over the years Danielle has grown a thick skin and she doesn’t care what people think about her which is something she also wants her children to develop
‘It’s a 50/50 gene and I was hoping I wouldn’t pass it on to my kids because I was bullied sometimes when I was younger.
‘It affects your teeth, so I had to have surgery when I was 11 to remove all of my baby teeth and wait for the other ones to come through. I’ve got crooked teeth now.
‘But over the years I’ve grown a thick skin and now I don’t care what people think about me.
‘I want to be this way for my girls too because I want them to live a free and happy life, and not feel the same way I did.’
What is cleidocranial dysplasia?
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a condition that primarily affects development of the bones and teeth.
Individuals with cleidocranial dysplasia usually have underdeveloped or absent collarbones, also called clavicles.
Cleidocranial dysplasia occurs in approximately 1 per million individuals worldwide.
It is likely underdiagnosed because many affected individuals have mild signs and symptoms.
Cleidocranial dysplasia is usually caused by mutations in the RUNX2 gene.
This gene provides instructions for making a protein that is involved in the development and maintenance of teeth, bones, and cartilage.
Signs include but not limited to:
Nonclosing or delayed closure of the fontanelles, the soft spots between the skull plates in infants
A wide, flat or protruding forehead
Ear problems, including ear infections and sometimes hearing loss
Baby teeth that do not come out on their own
Impacted adult teeth that may be encased in bone and cannot grow in on their own
Short stature
Short fingers
Incompletely formed or missing clavicles (collarbones), sloping shoulders
Extra or missing ribs