Posted at 9:02 AM
First things first: What is the Marfan syndrome? It's a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People born with Marfan are usually (not always, but usually) taller and thinner than most people in their families. Later in life some people tend to put on the pounds at least around the middle -- others never do -- but usually our limbs are long and lanky. While being tall and thin may seem like a good thing (and in some ways it is -- you'll find out why if you read this blog more during the day!), the bad thing is that connective tissue is very important to keeping the body together. Every part of your body has connective tissue, and if it's weak and defective, that's not good.

During the day today, I'll be blogging to let people know what the Marfan syndrome is all about. It often goes undiagnosed -- many doctors are unfamiliar with it, and sometimes it seems you have to knock them over the heads with your symptoms and literature about Marfan for them to take you seriously -- but it is a serious disorder. Knowledge and awareness about it is the key to ensuring as long and healthy a life as possible.

I'm blogging for the NationalMarfanFoundation, which is the very best place to get medical information about the syndrome that has been approved by it's professional advisory board.