Two Back Packs

For years I carried two backpacks. One with my volleyball gear, and one with my supplies for school. Although the fashion statement was questionable, I wore them with pride because I believed it spoke to who I was, an athlete, a student, a hard worker, and the girl who could do it all. For years I carried two backpacks,…

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My Diagnosis Can Help Save Future Generations

I’ve been through so much in the past eight years, and I’m still here. I want to share my story to encourage others to listen to their bodies and not give up. Keep searching until you find the appropriate medical help for yourself and your family members. It started in 2011 when I began having major colon and stomach…

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My High Risk Pregnancy with VEDS

My story with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS) began in 2007, after a maxillary artery emergency and a thoracic aneurysm left me with more questions and no answers. For nine years, I sought out several medical consultations, spent countless hours doing my own research, and ultimately found a supportive physician and colleague who referred my daughter and me for genetic…

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Learning to Live with VEDS

My name is Dan Sperry. I live in northern New Jersey. I have a beautiful wife named Melissa and an awesome son named DJ. In September of 2019, I brought myself to the hospital with intense pain in the middle of my abdomen, which I assumed was food poisoning.  It turned out that I had a saccular Abdominal Aortic…

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Coming to Terms with My VEDS Diagnosis

woman with short dark brown hair smiling in front of a purple birthday cake

My brother, Zach, was only 39 years old when he suddenly passed away from a severe, instant aortic dissection. It was fast and nothing could have been done to save him. I do take comfort in that. After his passing, the questions arose; “Why did a seemingly healthy, young guy pass away from something that typically happens to people…

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A Successful Emergency Outcome

Dominick Corso and his family enjoying a day on the boat. Dominick has VEDS and shared his story of a successful emergency outcome with The VEDS Movement

Dominick Corso was diagnosed earlier this year with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS), and quickly became involved in the community through virtual support groups and by engaging with the online community on Facebook. Just a few weeks ago, Dominick experienced an emergency. While getting ready for a day on a boat with his family, he started feeling pain and discomfort…

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The Dawn of a Second Decade

When I was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS) 10 years ago, following a traumatic vascular event, my family was handed a piece of paper printed off of google and told, “good luck.”I remember thinking, “half a page on the internet is the best they could do?” It is almost impossible to believe now, in the age of the…

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