A DAD is slowly turning to stone after a rare condition has caused his legs to swell to twice their normal size.

Shahid Hussain, 38, suffers from elephantiasis - a painful parasitic infection that's made his limbs grow abnormally large.

8 Shahid has elephantiasis - a tropical disease caused by parasitic worms

8 It's caused his legs to swell and crust like elephant's skin

It's left him virtually bedridden, with his legs alone weighing more than 7st 8lbs.

The father-of-five, from Pakistan, said: "I was living my life quite normally but five years ago my legs started swelling.

"Initially, I thought everything will be fine but now the disease has left me virtually bedridden and I can hardly walk.

"I never imagined that my condition will be like this - I will be literally paralysed."

8 He contracted it five years ago after being bitten by a mosquito

8 He can now barely see his feet and he's virtually bed-bound

8 Prior to becoming infected, he worked at a car garage

Shahid was working at a car garage to support his family but since he's been unable to work, they're all having to rely on the charity of other family members.

His wife Fatima said that all of their savings have been spent - including the money they had saved for their daughters' weddings.

"I sold my jewellery as well and we are dependent on our relatives now," she said.

"We don't understand what to do."

8 He's tried to get treatment in Pakistan but local doctors can't treat him

8 And his family doesn't have the money to get him to a surgeon in the capital

8 His wife is hoping that by sharing his story, they'll find some help

Shahid's family took him to several doctors in Karachi but they were unable to offer any help - telling him that he'd be better off heading to a bigger hospital in the capital Islamabad instead.

Due to their financial situation, however, there's no way that Shahid can make that happen.

Fatima added: "Doctors told us we should go to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for a surgery but we can't afford the treatment there.

What is elephantiasis? Elephantiasis is a tropical disease that is caused by parasitic worms, spread via mosquito bites. It causes the skin to get thick and hard - like an elephant's skin. And it also results in the arms and legs swelling and enlarging. Most people don't show any symptoms if they've been infected, despite significant damage being done to the lymph system and kidneys. When swelling does happen, it tends to happen to the legs, arms, breasts and genitals. Other symptoms can include: bacterial infections of the skin

ulcers

fever

chills It tends to happen in Africa, India, South America and Southeast Asia - where roundworms are found.

"We didn't even have money to travel to Karachi, so how can we go to Islamabad which is a costly city and we don't know anyone there who can help us?

"We are hopeful that people take notice of Shahid's condition and come forward for our help."

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that 120 million people worldwide are affected by elephantiasis.

As well as physical disability, many sufferers also struggle with mental, social and financial losses - which can exacerbate their poverty.

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Because it tends to be caused by mosquitos, it's people living in developing countries who are most at risk.

Squalid conditions and a lack of insect protection means that there's a constant risk of infection.

The WHO is trying to eliminate the condition through "preventative chemotherapy" - giving a dose of medicine to entire at-risk populations.

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