I first got involved with The Marfan Foundation the summer before my freshman year of high school. I had been bullied all through middle school and was apprehensive at the idea of 'movin' on up', only to end up being at the bottom of the school hierarchy pyramid all over again.

Though I stand at a measly 5'8 for a “Marf,” as a freshman in high school, I towered over my classmates and was constantly teased for my beanpole silhouette. My flat feet made shoe shopping a nightmare, and finding 37'' inseam jeans was like looking for a needle in a haystack. I wanted to look good and feel good about myself, but I had no idea where to start.

When I got to my first Marfan conference, I met so many confident girls. They were beautiful, and they shined and flaunted every single bit of their DNA! The gender breakout session was a real eye-opener and changed the way I looked at my body. That night, when I got back to my hotel room, I pledged to NEVER beat myself down and belittle myself ever again - from now on, I was going to work it!