Marfan Syndrome - Society and Culture

Society and Culture

See also: Medical and mental health of Abraham Lincoln

Contributors to public perception of Marfan syndrome include Flo Hyman, an Olympic silver medalist in Women's Volleyball (1984) who died suddenly at a match from an aortic dissection; Jonathan Larson, the author and composer of Rent, who died from an aortic dissection the day before the off-Broadway opening of Rent; and Vincent Schiavelli, an actor and spokesperson for the National Marfan Foundation.

Musicians and composers Niccolò Paganini, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Robert Johnson are thought to have had the disease. Bradford Cox of the indie rock band Deerhunter has openly discussed having Marfan syndrome and its effects on his self-perception and confidence. Abraham Lincoln was once thought to have had Marfan syndrome, but geneticists believe it unlikely, although he had some of the normal characteristic features.

Read more about this topic:  Marfan Syndrome

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