Inspiring Rumeysa is always reaching greater heights…
Standing with the trolley in the supermarket, strangers turned to stare at me.
‘Don’t mind them,’ my mum Safiye soothed.
And, in truth, I was getting used to the looks.
At six years old, I stood at 5ft 6in tall.
When I was born at 32 weeks, my parents noticed I was bigger than the other babies.
I weighed 13lb and was 59cm long.
After tests, I was diagnosed with Weaver’s syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that caused excessive postnatal growth and skeletal issues.
It was a randomly occurring condition and no one else in my family had it.
Weaver’s syndrome also caused me to have health complications, like a hole in my heart, umbilical hernia and scoliosis, so I needed multiple operations.
As I grew, I towered above my two older siblings.
I was home-schooled and while I had a supportive family, at times I still felt self-conscious.
My clothes had to be made by a custom tailor and my shoes by an orthopaedic expert.
Even my bed was custom-made.
I used a wheelchair or walker to get around.
Then at 17, I came across a news story about the tallest girl in the world.
Wait a minute, I thought. I’m taller than her!
So, I put myself forward for a Guinness World Record.
The adjudicator had to stand on a chair just to measure me…
As she pulled down her tape measure, she grinned.
‘You’re 7ft 0.09in tall, Rumeysa,’ she beamed. ‘I can officially say you’re the world’s tallest female teenager!’
I was thrilled.
'We're so proud of you!'
My height was measured three different times, just to be sure.
Then, my record was confirmed and I was presented with a certificate in a presentation with my family.
‘We’re so proud of you!’ Mum cheered.
To be awarded that at such a young age was an amazing achievement.
I’d always been shy and struggled to make friends.
But becoming a part of the Guinness World Records family opened up a whole new world
for me.
I found others with extraordinary traits, just like me.
It was empowering.
One time, I met Jyoti Amge – the world’s shortest living woman – who stands at just over two foot tall.
As she looked up at me, and I towered over her, we couldn’t help but laugh.
‘We’re total opposites!’ I chuckled.
Although my height can be an obstacle too…
A few years ago, I was able to fly on a plane for the first time in
my life.
Turkish Airlines installed a stretcher over six seats, across three rows so I could fly from Istanbul to San Francisco.
While I was there, I went to a festive maze – with Christmas trees even taller than me.
This is so magical, I thought as I made my way around.
It was amazing to finally travel to other countries, something most people take for granted.
More recently, I was awarded the record for the world’s tallest woman – at a height of 7ft 0.7in.
In total, I have eight world records – including longest back (female), longest finger (female), largest hands (female) and widest hand span (female).
My records have really boosted my confidence.
Now, I’m a speaker and an activist.
I raise awareness for rare disabilities and conditions – and I hope to make a difference across the world.
Mine has made me who I am and, for that, I’m always proud.
Rumeysa Gelgi, 28