KARACHI, Dec 3: A Hungarian man whose three-year-old daughter is suffering from a rare and uncurable mental disorder has started a journey of nearly half of the world to create awareness of the ailment.

Andor Kantas’ daughter is suffering from Rett Syndrome and he began his journey in his light aeroplane from his home town, Kaszethely, Hungary.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, he said Rett Syndrome is a complex neurological disorder that usually affects girls. Though its signs are not initially visible, the disease surfaces in the second year of birth and the patient becomes disabled and dependent on others.

He said the disease was first diagnosed in 1966 by an Austrian doctor, Prof Andress Rett, and it results due to a genetic disorder in the “X” chromosome and one in every 10,000 births is affected.

Some of the symptoms include a short period of stagnation in development from about the end of first year after birth which lasts until regression occurs; a regression period — between nine and 30 months — when speech skills are reduced; development of repetitive hand movements like wringing, patting, clapping, tapping, etc; appearance of stiff or clumsy posture; a normal head circumference at birth but a slowing of head growth between two months and approximately four years, etc.