Marfan Syndrome Is Not a Laughing Matter

The Internship makes reference to Marfan Syndrome, a heart condition, that if not treated effectively can kill and even with preventative methods does not stop death from being a risk. Sadly, they aren't doing it in a positive light. They are doing it in a joking fashion, and while raising awareness of the condition, they are also ultimately making it a laughing stock.

The Internship, a film about two people entering the technology savvy world hoping to enhance their career prospects is released on 3 July in the UK.

However, the film have been released into the US cinema market, meaning that the public are starting to share their opinion.

The film makes reference to Marfan Syndrome, a heart condition, that if not treated effectively can kill and even with preventative methods does not stop death from being a risk.

Sadly, they aren't doing it in a positive light. They are doing it in a joking fashion, and while raising awareness of the condition, they are also ultimately making it a laughing stock.

As somebody that suffers from the condition, the same on that killed award-winning Jonathan Larson just before his play RENT was about to hit Broadway, I am disgusted to see that a film is willing to earn a bit of money and get a laugh out of people at other peoples expense.

Carolyn Levering, President and CEO of the National Marfan Foundation told watchlinknews.com: "Marfan syndrome is not a laughing matter"

"The condition, which affects 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, is life-threatening, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated. People who have this disorder are at risk of a sudden early death from a tear in their aorta, the large artery that takes blood away from their heart."

If this was condition such as cancer, it would not be stood for and the writers/directors would have been much more careful about how they phrased it and in what context it was used.

It feels that they completely disregarded the thoughts and feelings of people that have the condition or have lost somebody because of it, and considering 1 in 5000 people in the world have it, it's not as if nobody would pick up on the comments and carry on regardless.

Throughout my whole life I have felt different because of my heart condition, and while most of it is in my head I often feel that I am laughed at about it. This film is going to make people more aware about my condition, but it is going to cause them to think about it and actually genuinely laugh at me.

I have warned my family and friends that if they go to see the film and that they actually come out of their laughing, that I may not talk to them for quite some time, because this is an issue that has greatly maddened me.

Here's a basic guide by the NHS of the symptoms that may effect sufferers

If you want to read more in-depth about it there is also a website dedicated to it

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