What is LivingwithFabry.org?
LivingwithFabry.org is a dedicated patient-to-patient support community for patients and families affected by Fabrys. LivingwithFabry.org is powered by BensFriends.org, a group of patient support communities for rare diseases, and is run by volunteer moderators who have been affected with Fabry Disease.
Who can join LivingwithFabry.org?
If you or your family has been affected by Fabry Disease, consider LivingwithFabry.org your second home. LivingwithFabry.org, as well as the rest of BensFriends.org’s patient communities, is free for members to join.
What is Fabry Disease?
Fabry disease is an inherited disorder that results from the buildup of a particular type of fat, called globotriaosylceramide, in the body's cells. Beginning in childhood, this buildup causes signs and symptoms that affect many parts of the body. Characteristic features of Fabry disease include episodes of pain, particularly in the hands and feet (acroparesthesias); clusters of small, dark red spots on the skin called angiokeratomas; a decreased ability to sweat (hypohidrosis); cloudiness of the front part of the eye (corneal opacity); problems with the gastrointestinal system; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); and hearing loss. Fabry disease also involves potentially life-threatening complications such as progressive kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke. Some affected individuals have milder forms of the disorder that appear later in life and affect only the heart or kidneys.
What is BensFriends.org?
In 2007, Ben Muñoz suffered a rare form of stroke caused by an Arterio-Veinous Malformation (AVM). He was unable to find the support he needed during the most difficult time, so he created an online support community AVMSurvivors.org to connect with others like him. AVMSurvivors.org led to the founding of BensFriends.org, driven to provide patient-to-patient support communities for people living with rare diseases.
BensFriends.org is a network of patient communities for people living with rare diseases. Launched in November 2007, Bens Friends provides valuable patient support by creating and running compassionate, responsive communities. BensFriends.org maintains dozens of patient communities and has changed thousands of lives. Bens Friends is supported by donations from its principals and community.
You can learn more about BensFriends.org at http://www.bensfriends.org or watch one of our videos at http://www.youtube.com/BensFriendsVideos.