Disney’s sprawling amusement complexes are famed for seamless magic, yet even the happiest places experience major malfunctions now and then. Below we count down the ten biggest slip‑ups that have rattled Disney parks, complete with dates, names and surprising aftermaths.

Major Malfunctions That Shaped Disney’s Safety Policies

10 Magic Carpet Ride

At Disney’s theatrical productions, beloved animated scenes are brought to life on stage, with dazzling set pieces that promise a “real” experience. One of the most iconic moments in “Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” is the soaring magic carpet that lifts during the duet “A Whole New World,” giving guests the illusion of flight. The prop is engineered to rise smoothly while performers glide across it, creating pure Disney enchantment.

In September 2011 that enchantment turned into a heart‑stopping drama when the carpet’s support system gave way. The actors were hoisted into the air, the carpet flipped upside‑down, and the performers found themselves dangling from a single safety harness, swaying like a pendulum. Spectators instinctively whipped out their phones to capture the chaos, shouting “Hold on!” and “Please catch them!” while the lights dimmed and a pre‑recorded voice instructed the audience to exit. Fortunately, the harnesses held, and the cast was rescued unharmed.

9 Faulty Float Maintenance

Jaime and Elena Boruchovas journeyed from Uruguay to celebrate their wedding anniversary at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1991. While watching the Main Street, U.S.A. parade, the driver of the Snow White float lost control and slammed into the curb. A dwarf figurine was catapulted into the crowd, dragging hot light bulbs from the float, which then rained down on Elena.

The incandescent bulbs seared Elena’s leg, causing severe burns that required skin‑graft surgery. While she recovered in the hospital, a Disney representative visited her room bearing a $1,222 check—likely a refund for their stay—and a contract written in English that absolved Disney of any liability. The Boruchovas couple spoke only Spanish, so they could not comprehend the document’s terms. Elena’s injuries worsened after they returned to Uruguay, leading to ongoing medical treatment and a life‑changing impact.

Eventually, a lawyer helped the couple sue Disney. A court ruled the contract invalid because the couple had not understood its language, awarding them $100,000 in damages.

8 Self‑Absorbed Safety Hazard

When selfie sticks exploded onto the scene in 2015, they quickly became the go‑to accessory for capturing every thrill. Yet using a selfie stick on a high‑speed roller coaster is a recipe for disaster; the stick can easily detach and become a projectile, endangering riders and by‑standers.

In June 2015, a guest on the California Screamin’ Roller Coaster ignored the warning and whipped out a selfie stick mid‑ride. Park staff spotted the device and halted the coaster while the train was still airborne, resulting in a two‑hour suspension and an emergency evacuation. The rider’s identity was omitted from media reports, suggesting they were a minor.

Since that incident, Disney has posted “No Selfie Stick” signage throughout its parks, making the rule crystal clear: selfie sticks are prohibited on rides for safety reasons.

7 Lane Graves

On a warm June evening at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Graves family from Nebraska gathered on the resort’s patio to watch the fireworks. Their two‑year‑old son, Lane, was allowed to play near the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon, a man‑made lake nestled amid the luxury resort.

In the darkness, an alligator lunged from the water, snatching Lane and dragging him beneath the surface. Lane’s father rushed to intervene, but the reptile’s grip was too strong. The next day, scuba divers were deployed and killed five alligators in the lagoon, but Lane’s body was never recovered.

6 A Few Too Many

Certain Disney locations, such as Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, serve beer and wine and even enforce a cutoff time for children after 8:00 p.m. While most guests temper their consumption, 53‑year‑old Glenn Horlacher chose to overindulge during a February 2012 visit to Disney’s California Adventure. He became visibly intoxicated outside the Tower of Terror, where his boisterous behavior attracted staff attention.

After an employee asked him to quiet down, Horlacher responded with punches, prompting nearby guests to intervene. He continued shouting, kicking, and acting aggressively. A Disney security guard calmly approached, used pepper spray on his face, and escorted him out. Horlacher was subsequently arrested for assaulting a park employee.

5 The Unmarked Van

Disney is famously protective of its brand image, often handling incidents behind the scenes. In 1981, 18‑year‑old Mel Yorba attended a private party in Tomorrowland when a confrontation with 28‑year‑old James O’Driscoll turned violent, resulting in Yorba being stabbed.

Rather than dialing 911, park staff summoned a Disneyland nurse, who escorted the wounded guest to an unmarked black van. The nurse, arguably lacking the expertise to treat a stab wound, drove Yorba to a hospital where he later died. Yorba’s parents sued Disney, arguing that a prompt 911 call could have saved their son. The case was dismissed for “lack of evidence.”

In a 1981 New York Times article, Disney denied avoiding 911 calls, claiming adequate medical care was provided. However, a 2000 court ruling revealed Disney’s internal policy instructed employees to contact security first, preserving the company’s image over guest safety. After the tragic death of four‑year‑old Brandon Zucker, Disney finally amended its policy to require immediate 911 calls.

4 It’s a Rough World, After All

When Disneyland opened in 1955, “It’s a Small World” quickly became a beloved classic. Yet, accessibility standards were scant in the 1950s, and even after the 1990 ADA, many attractions received only minimal upgrades. On March 28 2013, the vintage ride suffered multiple breakdowns, but staff kept it operating, applying quick fixes rather than shutting it down.

Quadriplegic guest José Martínez boarded a boat with his wife, only for the ride to halt inside a dark cavern filled with blaring speakers. The nonstop “It’s a Small World” song blasted directly into José’s ears, and because his wheelchair prevented him from exiting, he was trapped for thirty minutes, experiencing panic attacks and dangerous spikes in blood pressure due to dysreflexia.

José sued Disney, seeking changes to evacuation protocols for disabled guests. The court awarded him $8,000 for emotional distress but did not compel Disney to alter its policies, aside from issuing warnings when rides experience issues.

3 The “Anti‑Vaccer” Outbreak

In 2015, an 11‑year‑old child whose parents refused vaccination contracted measles and visited Disneyland. That child became “patient zero,” sparking a chain reaction that led to a statewide outbreak. The CDC traced 125 measles cases back to the park, with 39 infections occurring among visitors that day and 34 among family members after the child returned home.

Most of the 110 California cases involved unvaccinated individuals, underscoring how quickly an infectious disease can spread in a densely populated venue. While Disney bears no direct responsibility for the outbreak, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of large gatherings to preventable illnesses.

2 Look Out Below

Disney’s Skyway, a gondola lift that whisked guests up to 60 feet above ground, offered a convenient way to traverse the park. In 1994, 30‑year‑old Randle Charles fell from the Skyway while it was only 20 feet off the ground, landing in a tree. Rescue crews had to free him, and he suffered minor injuries. Charles sued Disney for $25,000, claiming the ride was unsafe.

Later, Charles admitted he deliberately opened the gondola door and jumped, resulting in the case’s dismissal. The Skyway was eventually retired from Disneyland, though its removal was unrelated to this incident.

1 To Infinity and Beyond

For decades, Disney was exempt from reporting ride‑related accidents to California’s occupational safety agency, Cal‑OSHA. In 1997, Cal‑OSHA discovered that 7,260 emergency‑room visits were linked to amusement‑park ride malfunctions, prompting a new law mandating annual safety inspections and 24‑hour reporting of injuries.

The first Disney‑reported incident occurred in 2000 on Space Mountain, when a wheel detached, causing a car to derail and injuring nine riders. Ray Gómez was crushed inside his seat, and firefighters had to cut bolts to free him. Unlike prior quick fixes, Disney shut the ride down for several days, hiring professional engineers to address the problem, aware that OSHA would be watching.

Disney’s reputation for discretion and settlement has long concealed many incidents, and the 50‑year span without mandatory reporting suggests numerous undisclosed malfunctions may still be hidden.

These ten major malfunctions remind us that even the happiest place on Earth isn’t immune to glitches, and each mishap has spurred tighter safety measures to keep the magic alive.

Celebrity fashion has served up its fair share of cringe‑worthy moments, and we’re counting down the 10 most embarrassing wardrobe mishaps that turned glittering events into instant meme material. From split seams that stole the spotlight to tags that refused to stay hidden, these slip‑ups prove that even the biggest stars can’t always keep their outfits in check. Buckle up for a wild ride through the highs, the lows, and the unexpected twists that made each blunder unforgettable.

10 Most Embarrassing Wardrobe Fails

10 Lil Nas X’s SNL Unplanned Encore

Did you catch Lil Nas X’s electrifying SNL set? He was absolutely killing it, dancing like a confetti cannon on fire, when his trousers decided they’d had enough of the limelight and ripped wide open. It was the kind of wardrobe disaster that makes every live‑performance fan’s heart skip a beat.

Mid‑song, the rip echoed around the studio, sounding almost like a second chorus. The best part? Lil Nas X didn’t miss a single beat—he kept grooving, turning the split‑pants incident into an impromptu fashion statement.

It’s a classic tale of performer versus wardrobe, and they both danced through it like pros. The internet exploded with memes faster than you could say “wardrobe whoopsie,” but honestly, isn’t that what makes live shows legendary? Props to Lil Nas X for flipping a ripped‑pants fiasco into a charisma‑filled flex—who needs perfect pants when you’ve got that much swagger?

9 Miley Cyrus’s NYE Sparkly Top Drama

Picture this: New Year’s Eve, the crowd buzzing, and Miley Cyrus rocking a blindingly sparkly top. Just as the countdown hit zero, the top decided it wanted its own spotlight and popped open, leaving a flash of glitter and gasps.

Instead of freaking out, Miley turned the mishap into a comedy moment, laughing it off and keeping the party vibes alive. She transformed a potentially cringe‑worthy wardrobe slip into a memorable NYE highlight that fans will talk about for years. It’s a reminder that even a button or seam can’t steal the show when you’ve got confidence on lock.

8 Harry Styles’s Impromptu Dance with Ripped Pants

Imagine Harry Styles on stage, the crowd roaring, when suddenly his pants split clean down the middle, as if they were auditioning for their own solo. The split happened right in the middle of a high‑energy performance, turning the moment into a surprise dance‑floor spectacle.

Never one to miss a beat, Harry grabbed a rainbow Pride flag, draped it over his shoulders like a cape, and kept the rhythm alive. The audience erupted, cheering louder than ever, as the ripped‑pants turned into an instant fashion statement.

Only a style icon like Harry could turn a wardrobe emergency into pure gold, proving that a little tear can become a memorable part of his legendary stage presence.

7 Taylor Swift’s Marilyn Monroe Moment

Flash back to 2011: Taylor Swift was commanding the stage, belting out hit after hit, when a sudden gust of wind gave her skirt an unexpected lift—think classic Marilyn Monroe. The breezy surprise turned a routine performance into a headline‑making moment.

Taylor handled the airy intrusion with poise, cracking a smile and continuing to sing, proving she could roll with any unexpected wind‑swept drama. Fans loved her quick wit and the way she turned a potential embarrassment into a light‑hearted, meme‑ready memory.

This breezy blunder cemented her reputation for keeping it real, showing that even pop royalty can have a little wind‑kissed mischief on stage.

6 Katy Perry’s American Idol Pants Split

During a high‑stakes episode of American Idol, Katy Perry took the judge’s seat in sleek skinny jeans—until the fabric gave way, creating a gaping split that ran the length of her backside. The split was so dramatic it could have been a canyon.

The studio fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted as Katy laughed, asking for tape with a grin. She turned the awkward rip into a teachable moment, showing that even judges can have fashion faux pas.

Her quick‑witted recovery turned the split into a legendary Idol memory, reminding everyone that a little seam failure can become a celebrated slice of TV history.

5 Selena Gomez’s SAG Awards Oopsie

At the 2022 SAG Awards, Selena Gomez strutted the carpet in full glam, only to stumble unexpectedly. The slip wasn’t a full‑blown fall, but it was enough to catch every camera’s eye.

Thankfully, a nearby aide helped her regain her footing, and she later presented an award without her black pumps, opting for a safer shoe choice. The incident turned into a moment of relatable humanity, showing that even polished stars can have a wobble.

Selena’s graceful recovery added a touch of authenticity to the night, turning a brief stumble into a testament to poise under pressure.

4 Shaq’s Halftime Hijinks: When the Big Man Tripped

During a halftime broadcast, Shaquille O’Neal was navigating a maze of studio equipment when his foot caught, sending him sprawling in a scene straight out of a cartoon. The towering 7‑foot star’s shoes literally flew off, leaving him to perform an impromptu moonwalk.

Audience members were torn between concern and laughter as Shaq quickly regained his composure, reminding everyone that even giants can have clumsy moments. The slip turned an otherwise routine halftime segment into a memorable blend of sports analysis and slapstick comedy.

Shaq’s quick recovery added a new move to his repertoire—a comedic “accidental slip ’n slide”—proving that even the most imposing figures can stumble with style.

3 Paris Hilton’s Chic Clash of Nude Elegance and Sparkly Glamour

When Paris Hilton appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, she stepped onto the set in two mismatched high heels: one sleek nude stilettos and the other a glittering, party‑ready sparkler. The contrast was unmistakable, sparking a silent conversation between the shoes.

The nude heel whispered sophistication, while the sparkling counterpart shouted celebration. Halfway through the interview, Paris realized the mismatch and swapped to a matching pair after a commercial break, turning the moment into a playful fashion lesson.

Fans loved the candid slip‑up, highlighting how even seasoned style icons can have a moment of shoe confusion on live TV.

2 Megan Markle’s Red Dress Oops Moment Sparks a Fashion Frenzy

Megan Markle stepped off a plane in a stunning red dress that turned heads worldwide—until a loose tag fluttered in the wind, stealing the spotlight. The tag waved like a flag, unintentionally becoming the season’s hottest accessory.

She faced a quick decision: pretend the tag was intentional or own the accidental reveal. Megan chose the latter, laughing it off and turning the mishap into a viral fashion conversation.

Her poise turned a simple tag into a global talking point, proving that even royalty can own a wardrobe oops with grace.

1 Tara Reid’s Unforgettable 2004 Dress Slip Debacle

Back in 2004, Tara Reid attended a Hollywood soirée, dressed to impress, when her dress suddenly slipped, revealing more than intended. The unexpected peek‑a‑boo sent paparazzi into a frenzy, capturing the unplanned exposure.

The incident sparked debates about red‑carpet attire and the intense scrutiny celebrities endure. While the slip became a scandal, it also served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of high‑profile events.

Conclusion

From ripped pants to runaway tags, these ten moments prove that even the most polished stars can have a wardrobe slip‑up. Whether it’s a live‑stage surprise or a red‑carpet mishap, each incident reminds us that fashion is as human as the people wearing it.

10 more extremely, we find that labeling a disorder as “bizarre” is often just a reflection of its rarity. One condition may be visually repulsive, another simply inexplicable, but ultimately we’re most fascinated by whatever obscure ailment we can’t quite wrap our heads around. If brains that block fear or stomachs that brew beer were as common as the cold, perhaps they wouldn’t raise eyebrows. For now, they stand as some of the strangest examples of what the human body can experience.

10 Walking Dead Syndrome

When any type of brain injury occurs, the aftermath can quickly drift into the realm of science‑fiction or horror cinema. Walking Dead syndrome—also known as Cotard Delusion after the French physician Jules Cotard—causes sufferers to believe they are dead or rotting away. The delusion stems from the breakdown of neuronal connections caused by Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, or a host of other disorders, severing the link between the facial‑recognition and emotional‑processing centers. Some victims become convinced that, being dead, there is no point in eating, ultimately starving themselves.

One of the most striking recent cases involved a Scottish man, identified only as “WI,” who endured severe brain trauma in a motorcycle crash. After receiving clearance from an Edinburgh hospital, he travelled to South Africa for a vacation. By the time he arrived, he was convinced he had died and was wandering in hell—an idea reinforced by the scorching African heat.

WI speculated that his death could have resulted from the brain injury, septicemia, or even AIDS—he only considered AIDS because he had read an article about it shortly before his accident. He also believed his mother, who accompanied him, was not truly present; he imagined she was asleep in Scotland while he had stolen her soul to navigate hell.

9 Pediatric Myelofibrosis

This condition isn’t especially odd, but its rarity is extraordinary. Myelofibrosis is a bone‑marrow disorder; while thousands of adults live with it, only about 50 pediatric cases have ever been documented. The disease forces the marrow to produce excess fibrous connective tissue, which blocks normal blood‑cell production. Symptoms include severe fatigue, susceptibility to infections (often pneumonia), gout, shortness of breath, easy bruising, an enlarged spleen, and constant bone pain.

A notable young patient is 16‑year‑old Lukas Larsson from Colorado. He was not born with the disorder but developed it around age 15. After a year of undiagnosed suffering, doctors determined his only chance of survival is a full bone‑marrow transplant—removing all marrow from every bone and replacing it with donor tissue. Without this procedure, the disease is almost always fatal.

8 Encephalotrigeminal Angiomatosis

Also called Sturge‑Weber syndrome, this condition stems from a gene mutation that occurs in‑utero, prompting an overabundance of blood vessels just beneath the skin on one side of the face. The classic newborn sign is a “port‑wine” birthmark spanning the forehead and one eye—similar to the famous mark on former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, though he does not have the syndrome.

These extra vessels encircle the trigeminal nerve, the primary nerve responsible for headaches. Additional manifestations include vascular growths inside the brain’s lining, severe intellectual disability, and intense glaucoma in roughly half of cases. Glaucoma raises intra‑ocular pressure, eventually crushing the eyeball; in extreme Sturge‑Weber instances, the pressure can even force the eye out of its socket.

The surplus vessels over the brain destroy large swaths of cerebral cortex, leading to violent convulsions that can cause a victim to “jackknife” or bend sharply backward, risking spinal and muscular injury. The only effective treatment for these seizures is surgical removal of the affected brain tissue.

7 Gut Fermentation Syndrome

This condition may sound like a dream come true. Imagine eating anything you like and instantly becoming intoxicated—very intoxicated—if you consume a typical amount of carbs. However, the resulting drunkenness brings extreme hangovers. Add the bewilderment of friends assuming you’ve been drinking and accusing you of lying, and you have the case of a 61‑year‑old Texas man reported earlier this year. For five years he routinely became drunk without ever drinking alcohol.

In September, he presented to the emergency department with a blood‑alcohol level of 0.37—nearly five times the legal intoxication limit. He insisted he was a teetotaler, prompting doctors to initially laugh, then admit him for observation. Twenty‑four hours later, still without any alcohol consumption, he remained profoundly inebriated.

Investigators discovered his stomach fails to digest carbohydrates; instead, it ferments them. Excess yeast proliferates in response to starches, converting them into ethanol before the stomach can process the sugars. While a healthy diet could keep a person perpetually tipsy without gaining the “beer belly” associated with alcoholic calories, the liver still suffers from the chronic alcohol exposure. Because it is so rare, the condition—often called auto‑brewery syndrome—requires physicians to specifically request that they take it seriously.

6 Microcephaly Capillary Malformation Syndrome

Only eleven documented cases of this disorder exist. One of its victims, Finn Straub of Connecticut, was told his parents he would not survive past his first birthday. Remarkably, he celebrated his second birthday in September and remains alive—an extraordinary outcome given the condition’s severity. Should he continue to survive into later childhood or adulthood, his IQ will likely never exceed thirty.

“Microcephaly” indicates that Finn’s brain and skull did not fully develop in utero. “Capillary malformation” describes the excessive branching of blood vessels that lie close to the skin’s surface, giving his entire body small “port‑wine” birthmarks. While these capillary malformations are not fatal, the severely under‑developed brain creates a cascade of problems: his heart cannot efficiently move fluid away from the chest cavity, his body is so weak he can barely move his head, and he lacks the energy even to cry.

This syndrome is entirely genetic, yet so rare that it cannot be predicted before conception.

5 Osteogenesis Imperfecta

You might recognize this disorder from M. Night Shyamalan’s film Unbreakable, but it is a real condition affecting roughly one in 20,000 people. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) results from the body producing insufficient or defective collagen, earning it the nickname “brittle bone disease.”

Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Unbreakable suffers from Type 1 OI. He mentions four types, claiming Type 4 “don’t last very long.” In reality, there are eight types, with Type 2 being the most severe. Type 1 patients form bones that break as easily as glass; they grow slowly, rarely achieve average height, develop a permanently curved spine due to weak joint tissue, and often experience hearing loss. Type 2 presents even more intense symptoms, and most victims die within their first year.

Adults with Type 2 are exceedingly rare, but all sufferers must exercise extreme caution in daily life. Ellen Dollar, for example, broke three dozen bones before turning 12 and later gave birth to a daughter who also has OI. One day her daughter tried to hold a laptop with one hand; the weight snapped both forearm bones.

4 Body Integrity Identity Disorder

People with this disorder feel an unrelenting urge to have a body part amputated because they perceive it as foreign and not belonging to them. Unlike apotemnophilia—a sexual fetish involving an amputee identity—Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) resembles gender‑identity disorder in prevalence. It may also be a psychosis linked to a malfunction in the brain’s body‑mapping center, located in the right parietal lobe, which defines our personal space. When an unwanted object encroaches on this space, alarm signals fire. Those with BIID experience a limb as an alien object invading their personal territory.

Most sufferers never follow through with amputation, and even fewer perform the surgery themselves—such self‑amputation would trigger entirely different alarm systems in the brain’s fear centers. Nevertheless, it has happened. In 2000, Scottish surgeon Dr. Robert Smith agreed to amputate the healthy legs of two individuals who threatened to carry out the act themselves, arguing that refusing would violate the Hippocratic Oath.

3 Cancer Of The Teeth

Identifying the rarest form of cancer is challenging; some suggest malignant primary cardiac sarcoma (heart cancer) holds that title. However, cancer can theoretically arise in any living tissue, including the teeth, which receive blood flow. Tooth cancer—technically termed gigantiform cementoma—is so rare that each case garners worldwide medical attention, captivating doctors much like the moon landing fascinated the public.

Gigantiform cementoma begins as a tumor within a tooth and, if left unchecked, expands to dominate the entire facial region. Its rarity means it often goes unnoticed until it manifests as a grotesque swelling around the mouth—either in the chin, jaw, or cheek.

The most renowned case involves Novemthree Siahaan from Batam Island, Indonesia, who died at six years old. When his family sought treatment from Taiwanese specialists, surgeons promptly removed four tumors that had spread from tooth to tooth and then infiltrated all facial tissues and bones. The growths became so massive they completely obscured his vision in both eyes and blocked his sinus cavities. He could only drink water by tilting his head upward so the liquid would flow down his throat unaided.

2 Crimean‑Congolese Hemorrhagic Fever

CCHF’s pathology mirrors that of Ebola, yet virologists who have studied it claim Ebola pales in comparison. When treated, CCHF’s mortality rate hovers around an alarming 30 percent. Like Ebola, the virus destroys the body by liquefying internal organs, but it does so far more rapidly. It especially melts the liver, often outpacing the immune system’s ability to respond.

The disease is transmitted by Hyalomma ticks, making it the sole viral entry on this list—antibiotics are useless against viruses. After just one to three days, flu‑like symptoms appear. External hemorrhaging emerges within three to five days if early signs are ignored. Lesions develop inside the throat, threatening death by drowning in one’s own blood. General mental confusion follows, accompanied by bleeding from the nose, vomit, urine, and feces.

Because the body attempts to clot everywhere simultaneously, it exhausts its platelet supply, leading to bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, and even pores. With proper treatment and a robust immune response, most patients survive, though noticeable recovery takes about a week and a half. For those who succumb, death from multiple‑organ failure occurs in less than two weeks.

1 Cushing’s Syndrome

The common form of Cushing’s syndrome isn’t especially bizarre: steroid medications cause the adrenal glands to over‑produce corticosteroids, and doctors typically treat it by tapering the patient off the drugs. The rarer variant, however, is driven by an adrenal adenoma—a benign tumor on the adrenal gland—often removed along with the gland itself. Thirty‑eight‑year‑old Jordy Cernik suffered adenomas on both glands and had them excised. The truly bizarre outcome: without adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, he can no longer feel fear.

Fear can be beneficial or detrimental. You ride roller coasters for the controlled thrill of near‑death, yet when confronted by a gun‑pointed mugger, you must suppress fear to function. Cernik fully understands situations that would normally trigger fear, having been perfectly normal before surgery, yet he simply cannot experience the sensation. He might comply with a robber or play dead before a bear, but he will not panic or think too quickly.

After his surgery, Cernik tried sky‑diving—a feat he says he would never have dared before. As he boarded the plane, he felt nothing. Stepping onto the open door at 3,000 meters (10,000 ft), he felt nothing. While plummeting, he felt nothing; his heart rate stayed flat because adrenaline, which normally spikes heart rate in such scenarios, was absent. He no longer produces any adrenaline.

Sounds advantageous, yet this oddity carries a price. Adrenaline and endorphins are the body’s two natural painkillers. Conditions that most people can ignore, like mild arthritis, cause Cernik chronic suffering. “I’m always in pain,” he reports. Moreover, adrenaline does more than dull pain—people who have their adrenal glands removed often experience rapid, severe weight gain.