Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: The Zebra Disease
Those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome have cheerfully claimed the name of "Zebra" to describe themselves and can often be seen decked out in zebra print to show their support and raise awareness. The ribbon for EDS (and a few other rare diseases) even follows this! Did you ever wonder why?
Why the Zebra?
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A medical zebra is a rare disease or disorder that presents in the same manner as a much more common disease. The term comes from a quote by Dr. Theodore Woodward who said:
“When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras.”
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a medical zebra because its symptoms could be due to any number of more common conditions, but they are actually due to EDS—common symptoms, rare disease.
May is EDS Awareness Month
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May has been dubbed "Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness month internationally. During this time, EDS Awareness groups and organizations up their postings and run special fundraisers to help spread the word.
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Of course, the efforts don't stop when June 1st rolls around. In fact, the biggest EDS conferences are in June and July with the EDS International Symposium and the Ehlers-Danlos Society National Conference.
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Want to do more to help these efforts? Consider donating to the Ehlers-Danlos Society or other research-supporting groups to help all of those with EDS.
