The world’s most famous blue man, Paul Karason, also dubbed Papa Smurf, was born as a fair-skinned, freckled boy with ginger hair. In the 2000s, he became an internet sensation and made many TV appearances, openly talking about his condition. Let’s find out together why Karason turned blue and how he became a cautionary tale.
Paul Karason had a skin condition that made his skin flake, as well as acid reflux and arthritis. Doing his own research in order to improve these ailments, he found out about a solution of silver in water, also known as colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver was widely used as an antibiotic back before penicillin was invented in the 1930s. It was banned in 1999 in over-the-counter medications after scientists found that it can severely damage internal organs.
The late Paul Karason and his wife, Joanne
Karason drank what he believed was a miracle cure for over 10 years. Moreover, he even began to apply a silver preparation directly to his skin; he claimed his acid reflux and arthritis just went away. “I had arthritis in my shoulders so bad I couldn’t pull a T-shirt off. And the next thing I knew, it was just gone,” he shared.
Due to the silver accumulation in his skin, he started to turn blue and suffered from a permanent and rare condition called argyria. Only when Karason met an old friend who asked him, “What have you done to yourself?” did he begin to realize he’d become blue.
Karason claimed his blue skin had many advantages — he never got sunburns or had to wear sunglasses. There were some side effects he did not appreciate, however, such as folks “being less than polite” to him. Moreover, Karason confessed he couldn’t get a job because of employers’ resistance to hiring “people that are blue or that are noticeably different.”
Sadly, Paul Karason passed away in 2013 when he was 62 years old due to heart complications.
Papa Smurf’s story serves as a valuable lesson about the importance of being careful when it comes to at-home remedies. While it’s natural to want to find easy solutions to health problems, it’s important to be aware that such remedies can sometimes pose serious risks. It’s always better to consult a doctor and follow their advice for a safe and effective treatment.
After 20 Years in Captivity, Watch This Circus Lion’s Emotional Reaction to Freedom
Life in captivity strips away the essence of existence. Every creature, whether human or animal, is born to live free. Sadly, countless stories of animals living in chains remind us of the ongoing cruelty they endure.
One such heartbreaking story is that of Mufasa, a mountain lion who spent 20 years chained at a circus in Peru. Forced to live in the back of a pickup truck, his days were marked by neglect, abuse, and confinement.
Circus animals often face unimaginable suffering, and Mufasa was no exception. Thankfully, his nightmare came to an end thanks to the relentless efforts of Animal Defenders International (ADI). The organization worked tirelessly to shut down the circus, and during their mission, they discovered Mufasa in dire conditions.
Rescuing him was no easy task, but ADI’s team succeeded. After years of torment, Mufasa finally got to experience the freedom he was always meant to have. In his final months, he roamed in nature, basking in the care and love he had been denied for so long.
Tragically, Mufasa’s newfound happiness was brief. He passed away due to kidney failure shortly after his rescue. While his time as a free animal was short, it was filled with the dignity and compassion he deserved.
No animal should ever endure the suffering Mufasa faced. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to protect and care for all creatures.
May Mufasa rest in peace, knowing he was finally loved.
Watch his incredible story in the video below, and share this article to raise awareness about the plight of animals in captivity.
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