One of the reasons I like to watch Grey’s Anatomy is the way the writers tend to highlight some of the more unusual medical ailments and diseases out there. This not only makes the show more interesting to viewers but also brings some much-needed attention to the very real problems that regular people face on a daily basis.
I just received an email from someone telling me that a rare disease called Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) will be featured in an upcoming GA episode. It’s supposed to be tomorrow night’s show, but the air date has already changed once, so it’s not exactly written in stone.
FOP is a rare genetic condition that causes muscles and connective tissue to turn to bone — essentially creating a second skeleton. This causes a great deal of pain and suffering, and can eventually lead to immobility.
As rare as FOP is, I actually know someone who has this disease, so the whole issue is very important to me. Please visit the official FOP website to learn more, and be sure to tune into Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday night to see what kind of storyline they’ve got in store.
