Morquio Syndrome is described in the book Freak.

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Have you ever been teased at school?Maybe someone picked on you because you were short or tall.Maybe you did something funny in class.Being bullied is an awful feeling.There are a number of reasons why the two main characters, Maxwell and Kevin, are picked on.Max looks a lot like his father, a convicted murderer.The short freak has to wear leg braces and use crutches to get around.Freak rides on Max's shoulders and the two become 'Freak the Mighty'.

The plot and conflict of the book can be traced back to Freak's physical appearance and health.You might have asked yourself, "What condition does Freak have?"Morquio syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the way his body develops.Rod Philbrick said that the character was based on another little boy with the same condition.

Morquio syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by a defect in the basic blueprints that make up a human.The syndrome is very rare.Only a small percentage of people are diagnosed with the disorder.Children begin to show signs of Morquio syndrome after one year of age.

People with Morquio syndrome can't break down a special type of sugar.The average person has special chemicals in their bodies that break down sugars.There are two problems for people with Morquio syndrome.

Why is this important?The special type of sugar is broken down by the body to help grow important body parts.

If a person can't break down sugars, their body struggles to grow and develop normally.People with Morquio syndrome have a number of physical problems.

The short stature and joint problems are some of the symptoms that Kevin experiences.He uses leg braces because of this.He doesn't let his genetic disorder affect who he is as a person.He embraces his disease and imagines a world where he is a part machine.

Readers don't get a lot of insight into how challenging life is for Freak.His stature makes it hard for him to get around.He goes to the hospital a lot.Max is able to accompany him occasionally and they have some adventures.

Max is affected by his friend's condition at the end of the story.At his birthday party, his mother gives him a cable modem so he can learn from home.Max didn't realize that Freak's condition was getting worse.After a seizure, Freak ends up in the hospital and dies the next day.Max is devastated by the loss of his best friend.Readers are helped understand the importance of overcoming adversity and standing up to bullies by the central character's disorder.

Max and Kevin are two of Rod Philbrick's best friends.The two go on a lot of adventures together.The fact that he wears leg braces and uses crutches is picked on for his physical appearance in the story.There is a genetic disorder called Morquio syndrome.People with Morquio Syndrome can't break down a special type of sugars.A person's body doesn't produce enough of a special chemical that breaks down sugars.

Growth and development can be achieved with the help of Glycosaminoglycans.Morquio syndrome has a number of health problems including curved spine, short statures, and heart and vision problems.Major conflicts in the book are caused by Freak's disorder, a main part of the plot.

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