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42 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 13, 1989 bie Lah Aeneas Lane Is working to organize a Durham Chapter of the Canadian Marfan Association. He has this chronic syndrome and would like to form a support group to help others to deal with the burden and learn more about it. One of Mr. Lanes' goals Is to increase public awareness of this little known, life threatening condition. Lane Port Perry. Ontario Cou ntry TA & High Street "The most difficult arithmetic to master is the art of counting your blessings." New Marfan Syndrome support group in Region by Rob Streich Aeneas Lane has a shadow hanging over his head, but he doesn't let it get him down. Since early in his adult- hood, Mr. Lane has known that he has a rare genetic disorder known as Marfan Syndrome which affects his connective tissue and may eventually re- sultin his death. Mr. Lane is taking it upon Rimsait form a Bos am Re- ion an suppo up un- er the umbrella of the Cana. dian Marfan Association. The first meeting of the re- gional directors of the Canadi- an Marfan Association was held in Ottawa on May 19-21. The national association provides information to Jeople affected by Marfan S me, their families and physicians involved in their treatment. An estimated 3,000 Cana- dians suffer from Marfan. What isit? Marfan is a disease of the connective tissue of the body. it has been referred to as arach- nodactyly from the Greek for Spider and fingers. Physical characteristics of Marfan Syndrome carriers in- clude long limbs, fingers, great height, spinal curvature (scolio- sis), near-sightedness and fre- quently dislocated retina. Having any or all of these symptoms is no immediate cause for concern, but your doc- tor should be informed if you have a family history of such symptoms and heart problems. Because of the effect Mar- fan can have on organs, many people who have the syndrome ave died of ruptured heart valves - as the tissue of the wall is weakened and can be stretched out of shape by high blood pressure following physi- cally stressful activity such as sports. Marfan Syndrome is an in- herited disorder. It is caused by a dominant gene which re- sults in a 50 per cent chance of an affected parent passing it on toachild. Celebrate Father's Da y Weekend at the Camaro Nationals! June 17 -18 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday INTERNATIONAL CAMARO Ontario, Camaro Nationals General Motors Autoplex, Park Rd. S., Oshawa FREE! No admission or parking charges! ® 13 classes for all Camaros 1967-1989 (Stock, Mild, Modified, Pro- street and Competition). Cars on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 17 & 18, 1989. ¢ Special GM vehicle displays, including 1989 GM Motorsport Camaros and the California Camaro concept car of the future. ¢ Refreshments for the entire family. ¢ Special Camaro Club competition trophy presentations at 2:30 p.m., Sunday (June 18). To get to the Ontario, Camaro Nationals, take Hwy 401 to Park Rd. South, Oshawa. Turn east off Park Rd. S. into Gate C (across the street from the Autoplex carsplant). Only 30 minutes east 6f Toronto. Because the changes occur deep within the body, detec- tion is often difficult as symp- soma) may be mild until the late Patients are encouraged to receive genetic counselling so that they can make informed decisions about child-bearing. What canbe done? Relatively new techniques of detection such as the echo- cardiogram (ultrasonic exami- - nation of the heart) are being used effectively to detect any abnormalities. Surgical techniques have been developed which provide strengthening of the aorta wall by the introduction of a dacron sheath. This measure helps to prevent collapse once enlarge- ment has begun. Patients like Mr. Lane have echocardiograms on a yearly basis, and make certain lifestyle adjustments to pre- vent overtaxing their bodies. Additionally, doctors often prescribe Beta Blockers which encourage a slow, regular heartbeat and act preventa- tively to reduce blood pres- sure. None of these measures provides a cure, but they should assist in reducing the risk of aortic enlargement and help to extend the lifespan of people af- fected with Marfan. = Mr. Lane has watched four of his six maternal aunts and uncles pass away because of this syndrome. His brother and two of his three sisters have the condition. Despite this burden, he feels that it is most important to stay positive and to be there to help each other out during rough times. . Mr. Lane and his siblings are fortunate that they chose professions which are more mentally tarihg Hon physical- ly. But it is difficult to change your lifestyle from being physi- cally active to avoiding sports like the plague. Doctors have recommend- ed that people with Marfan Syndrome avoid doing work even as light as shovelling snow or mowing the lawn, because it quickly elevates the blood pres- sure and strains the heart. Be- ing an English teacher, Mr. Lane isn't required to be very active, but it is hard for him to resist all the sports he used to take part in when he was grow- ingup. Marfan only affects one in 10,000. Ifyou have a family his- tory of the illness, you are most likely to get it, but spontaneous cases occur as well. Many health professionals are not aware of the syndrome. Part of the responsibility of the Canadian Marfan Association is to bring knowledge about the condition to such professionals as Opthamologists who may en- counter dislocated retinas. Cardiologists are frequent- ly aware of the special needs of persons with + Marfan Syn- drome and have been very sup- portive of the Marfan Associa- on. There is a research centre at John Hopkins University where advances have been made over the last few years. New information is hoped to provide people with an extend- ,ed lifespan. Flo Hyman Marfan Syndrome has only become a recognized ailment in this century. Prior to the tragic death of Flo Hyman (american olympic volleyball athlete who collapsed during a game), many Marfan fatalities were prob- ably passed off as heart at- tacks. Speculation about other athletes has resulted in several coaches forcing players to fore- go professionals careers for the sake of their health. Former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln may have had Marfan Syndrome, he had . the classic physical aspect . Mr. Lane has provided his six-year-old daughter with as much information as she can understand, but it is hard to re- alize that your father is not like other fathers. A useful aid for children is a book put out by the National Marfan Association which ex- plains how Johns different. DON FORDER INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. SELWIN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. Guaranteed Investment Certificates the mu © savings & loan corporation 3 YEAR - ANNUAL 111/4% 02) fms 1 YEAR - ANNUAL 113%/4% 5 JHOUSEHOLD DRST SHORT-TERM oavs. 11%% 113% 60 to 364 DAYS -- RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE -- PHONE 985-8411