The Astounding Tale Of The Boy Who Won’t Stop Growing

Even though many people around the world have normal lives and grew up without facing any standout challenges, Broc Brown’s life is quite different. The lad is one of the tallest people on the planet, and that didn’t come without its fair share of ridicule.

When Broc was delivered, his mother, Darci Moss Elliot, and the doctors believed he was an average boy, and considering that he weighed under eight pounds and was 22 inches long, they had no reason to doubt. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Darci to realize that her child was not like the other children.

Soon, young Broc was outgrowing all the clothes his parents had bought for him, and the onesies couldn’t fit him anymore. Even though he was happy, energetic, and active, he was maturing faster than his peers.

For the most part, parents would say that their children are growing faster than they should be, but Brown’s case was different. His mom, Darci, knew he was growing at a faster-than-average rate, and she confirmed this on his first day in kindergarten.

Even though some kids take a long time before they reach their parents’ heights, Broc was the same height as his mother by the time he was in first grade. Darci watched in awe as her son grew exponentially fast, but soon she started getting worried. What was happening to her child?

Even with his insane growth rate, Darci still treated Broc like a kid, but it was difficult. The boy couldn’t play the same way his peers would, and it was becoming increasingly hard for him to complete the regular everyday tasks.

Concerned about her son’s rapid growth, Darci decided to find some answers, and she suspected that it was caused by something worse than the normal growth spurt. So they went to their family doctor for Broc’s thorough checkup and were referred to another physician.

Broc went for an extensive checkup when he was only five years old and was diagnosed with a rare condition affecting one in 15,000 people. The boy was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, also known as “cerebral gigantism.”

Considering that Sotos Syndrome was incredibly rare when Brown’s family first found out about the diagnosis, they didn’t have much information. Darci only thought that her child would grow faster than the other children in his class.

As per the typical symptoms of people born with Sotos Syndrome, they experience speedy growth throughout their lifetime, where they swiftly outgrow their peers. From a young age, they quickly surpass their parents and older siblings.

It’s normal for children to undergo significant growth changes during puberty; that’s where most growth spurts occur. Broc was no different; he had a massive growth spurt; the only difference was he grew taller than all his classmates.

Even though Broc’s mother was concerned about his exponential growth, the doctors keeping an eye on the boy noticed that he was growing taller than people with Sotos Syndrome. This made them more worried about his overall health.

Expeditious growth can be pretty challenging on the human body, especially the heart, and Broc grew up experiencing a lot of physical pain. In addition, the boy suffered from a strained spine, sporadic explosive disorder, some learning disabilities, and ADHD.

Since it’s difficult for Broc’s body to process any meds, he doesn’t take medications like Advil and Tylenol. That has pushed his family to adapt, and to ensure that he is comfortable, they made him a custom bed that fits his massive frame. Apart from that, he also has a special chair that costs his family $1000.

Despite the excruciating pain and daily life struggles, Broc has managed to keep the optimism flowing. People around him, his family, and friends have experienced his positive vibe, and as per his aunt Stacy, he “takes on his condition day by day with a smile on his face.”

Because of cerebral gigantism, Broc has a difficult time enjoying doing what everyone else does. The condition has made it challenging for him to stand for long periods, and it’s nearly impossible for him to fit in spaces like cars, airplanes, restaurant booths, and movie theaters.

When you grow up in a small town with about 30,000 people and a height like Broc’s, chances are you’d become a local celebrity. The boy, born in Jackson, Michigan, had become so popular that his story became national news.

Considering that Broc’s condition is quite rare, it was a mind-blowing experience when he met people his age who also had Sotos Syndrome. Broc met the teenagers when he was featured in a TLC documentary called “Tallest Teens” in 2016, where the production followed the lives of teens who’d surpassed their peers in the growth department.

The older Broc grew, his growth rate also increased significantly. By the time he turned 19, he was already an astonishing 7 foot 8 inches tall and going. The lad is growing at an astounding rate of 6 inches each year, and if he continues with that rate, he could quickly become the tallest man in the world.

Due to his condition, Broc’s family had to spend a lot of money on medical bills, and they spent more on his clothes. The boy’s rapid growth meant that he outgrew his wardrobe every year, and on top of that, they had to order special sizes, which were more expensive since he didn’t fit into the standard sizes.

After the TLC “Tallest Teens” documentary had aired, Broc continued to make television appearances, showcasing his bravery. In 2016, Broc and his mother appeared on a special episode of The Maury Show, where they discussed the boy’s experience with bullying because of his height.

Broc’s appearance on The Maury Show and what he said had a massive impact on nationwide audiences. Most Americans have been bullied in one way or another, and anyone who was stirred by his story on the show contacted Broc to support him.

As much as Broc’s family did everything they could to ensure that Broc was well taken care of, sometimes the financial burden was too heavy for them, and they needed some help. As such, they decided to launch “The Support Page for Broc D Brown” on Facebook, which accumulated over 15,000 likes after the TLC documentary was released.

With support coming in numerous shapes and forms, Broc and his family were stunned by all the donations they received. For example, one anonymous donor gave the boy tickets to a Detroit Pistons basketball game through “The Support Page for Broc D Brown,” and he met some players.

Broc and his family were incredibly grateful for all the help people from far and wide had given them, but his mother couldn’t help but worry about his future. Yet, Broc wasn’t worried about his future; he always maintained his positive demeanor throughout.

When Feetz, a shoe company based in California, heard about Broc’s story, they decided to hip in. They used 3-D printing technology to make shoes specifically for the boy’s huge feet. The moment Broc received his first pair of shoes, he was elated, saying, “Heck, I don’t like them. I love them. Thank you!”

In another fantastic development, Broc’s family planned for him to board a special plane for a 1,000-mile trip to Arkansas to see a genetic specialist. The lad flew to meet Dr. Bradley Schaefer of Arkansas Children’s Hospital, who was researching Sotos Syndrome.

After he was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, Broc was told that his chances of making it to early adulthood were slim. Yet, Dr. Schaefer gave him a different prognosis admitting that he had proven his doctors wrong when it came to life expectancy.

When Broc’s family heard the news, they were understandably delighted, with Broc commenting, “It’s the best thing I could have heard. I’m so happy that I will live for a long time.” Nonetheless, Broc’s mother, Darci, broke down in tears when Dr. Schaefer told her that Broc would have a regular lifespan.

Broc Brown isn’t one to give up quickly, and he has some dreams he wants to achieve. The boy commendably stated, “I hopefully want to work for a sporting goods store, so something like that, a cashier or something. “I just want to have my own job.”

Currently, Sultan Kosen is the world’s tallest man, with an astonishing height of 8 feet and 2 inches. Kosen lives in Turkey, and if Broc’s growth is anything to go by, he might not be the tallest man in the world for long.