The 33-year-old wasn’t aware that her ‘birthmark’ was a tell-tale sign of the rare condition until she watched a TV documentary on Chimerism in 2009
WHAT IS CHIMERISM?
Chimerism is an extremely rare genetic medical condition.
It is when an individual is composed of two or more genetically distinct cell lines originating from different zygotes.
They may have only a few cells of the zygote or more, as in Muhl’s case.
Most people diagnosed with the condition only learn when they have their blood tested.
It is estimated there are only 100 known cases of the condition.
In some cases, women have failed maternity tests for their children as a result of chimeric genes.
These women had different blood DNA from their children because the DNA of the children belonged to the twin.
In the case of Karen Keegan in 2002, it was discovered her ovaries held different genes to her blood cells.
The true genetic mother of her two sons was a twin whom she absorbed in the womb.
Muhl learned she is allergic to certain metals on one side of her body but not on the other because of the different immune systems.
She gets hit twice as hard during flu season because both of her immune systems are weakened while they are fighting the other’s cells.
Since her diagnosis, Muhl has been trying to come to terms with her condition and understand it.
She said: ‘I don’t want to be a human Guinea pig or viewed as a circus freak.
‘I had always kept my stomach a secret, covering it up or having photographers Photoshop it out.
‘But now I want to embrace the way I look. I want to inspire people to feel beautiful and confident with their difference.’
Until now, Muhl has kept her condition a secret but she wants to embrace what makes her unique and encourage others to do the same
Because Chimerism is so rare, many people with the condition only learn they have it when they have a DNA blood test.
Knowing the true number of Chimeras in the world is complicated as a result of the secondary genes being only be present in certain organs and not in others.
It is estimated there are only 100 known cases of the condition.
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