Dede, of Indonesia, has been called the “half man half tree” because of his physical appearance. Dede has warts all over the extremities of his body. Dede had been in hospital to remove 13 pounds of warts to make him look normal, and not “half man half tree.” Dede continued his treatment as an outpatient to prevent looking like “half man, half tree.”

Dede said that his warts are returning after surgery. Dede’s movements are hampered because he cannot use his “half man, half tree” limbs. An American doctor explained that warts were the cause of sever Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV). HPV is non-life threatening. Dede’s HPV is one of the worst in the world. Dede looked like half man and half tree.

Dede noticed his symptoms when he cut his knee when he was 15. Slowly, the warts became so prominent that Dede lost his job as a fisherman. Dede lost his wife as he had no means of caring for her and his children. Neighbors avoided the “half man, half tree.”

Doctors told Dede his HPV could not be cured entirely. Dede knows he needs at least 2 operations a year to remove his warts that make him look like a half man, and half tree. Dede used to display himself as a circus act to make ends meet. After the plight of the half man, half tree was publicized, Dede received donations. Dede bought land to grow rice and he has a used car now. Dede depends on his relatives to drive him to hospital for treatment to get rid of the “half man, half tree” warts.

Photos of Dede, “half man, half tree.”
Photos of the “half man half tree” are graphic. Some people who are squeamish cannot digest them.

Dede, half man, half tree video link. On the same page, you will see the links for Part 2 of the video.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 at 3:16 am and is filed under Health.