In a quiet village in Indonesia lives 32-year-old Dede, a father of two, whose life has been dramatically altered by a rare and mysterious condition. Known by locals as “The Tree Man,” Dede’s body has been slowly overtaken by thick, bark-like growths that resemble roots. For over two decades, his bizarre appearance has baffled doctors and left him battling more than just his illness.
The strange growths began when Dede was a teenager. After cutting his knee in what seemed like a harmless accident, small lesions began to form on his hands and feet. But instead of healing, they grew — and never stopped. Now, they sprout from his body at a rate of nearly 5 centimeters each year, twisting and spreading like branches.
As the condition worsened, Dede’s world fell apart. He lost his job. His wife left. And with no steady income, he was forced to take desperate measures to care for his children. He joined a traveling sideshow where he was put on display alongside others with unusual medical conditions, performing for wealthy audiences who came to stare.
For years, no one could explain what was happening to him — until doctors discovered the root of the problem: a rare genetic disorder that leaves his immune system unable to fight off the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus, typically manageable for most, causes wart-like growths on Dede that rapidly multiply across his skin.
Despite his hardships, Dede remains determined to support his family and continue fighting for answers. His story is one of resilience, survival, and the painful consequences of a condition that has left him trapped inside a body that no longer feels like his own.
