Of Mice And Men Austin Carlile Marfan Syndrome Twitter

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When someone's sick, it's considered polite to tell them to get better. But the truth is, there are some illnesses we don't get better from. And as Of Mice and Men lead singer Austin Carlile pointed out in a viral Twitter thread, telling someone to "hurry up and get better" can dismiss the reality of what they're going through. Carlile has Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting a protein that forms the body's connective tissue. In October, he announced that he had to stop touring due to the condition.

❤ pic.twitter.com/SZi3mXKKma
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) October 11, 2016

Around one in every 5,000 people have Marfan Syndrome, which is inherited in three quarters of cases, according to the Marfan Foundation. Lizzie Velasquez, who became a spokesperson against bullying after being deemed the "world's ugliest woman," also has it. The syndrome can manifest in many different ways, but the most potentially fatal symptom is damage to the aorta, which pumps blood through the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with Marfan's usually take medication to avoid this problem, and some need heart surgery. Over Twitter, Carlile talked about what it's like to have a condition that you can't recover from and could die from.

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FYI you don't "get better" w/ Marfans. You GET BY. I've had foot, ear, rib, head, hip, back, & heart surgeries just so I can function/live.
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016

all of you saying I should hurry up & get better what's taking so long. I'll never be better. you happy? I live EACH DAY as it comes. each
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016

day is a battle. Marfan Syndrome is a fibrostic connective tissue disorder, that means it affects your ENTIRE BODY, and IT. IS. PAINFUL.
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016

I don't cry on Twitter on all the bad days. I suck it up & keep pushing on. The rare good days?!... I CHERISH those more than you could ever
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016

understand. & I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. This is why I have such a heart for those hurting, mentally OR physically, because I. AM. TOO.
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016

https://t.co/WRHawmGFtA my bio, learn more about our struggle. My disease KILLS. took my own momma. KNOWLEDGE & AWARENESS are ? ❤ @MarfanFdn
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 30, 2016

While we're usually trying to be considerate when we wish sick people well, this is often done more for ourselves than for them. Sometimes, what they need is for the gravity of their condition to be acknowledged. We applaud Carlile for not trying to force a happy face in the midst of a serious situation.