David Barnes, 19 year-old “Ironman”
Several years ago my younger brother, David, was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome; this was the first time my family learned of this rare, progressive genetic disease. He is currently an ambitious 19 year-old looking forward to starting college this fall. Unlike most people his age though, he is dealing with health issues that others never have to think about.
Over the course of the last year, he has had several surgeries to help him manage the symptoms of Marfan syndrome. In February 2012, David underwent the Nuss procedure to correct his severe pectus excavatum. The doctors placed three metal bars under his sternum to hold it up. In March, they had to replace the bars due to shifting and added two more for stabilization. October of 2012 brought another hurdle when David had to undergo a full spinal instrumentation and fusion. They placed two metal rods and bone grafting along his spine to help correct his severe kyphoscoliosis. This upcoming spring, he will have open heart surgery to replace his aortic root and fix his mitral valve; this will correct an aortic aneurysm and mitral valve prolapse. David’s amazing sense of humor and outlook on life has allowed him to call himself the “’Ironman’, more metal than man.”
David continues to amaze me. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, David is the most upbeat, humorous, spontaneous, compassionate, tenacious, life-loving young man that I have ever met. Our “Ironman” refuses to allow Marfan syndrome to define who he is and what he is capable of. He continues to dream and live and love. He never complains. He inspires and teaches. There is not a life around him that is untouched. He continuously shares with those around him how to live in the moment, laugh, and love. He is truly my hero and inspiration; an “Ironman” in more ways than one.
- Stephanie Barnes, Race Founder
Over the course of the last year, he has had several surgeries to help him manage the symptoms of Marfan syndrome. In February 2012, David underwent the Nuss procedure to correct his severe pectus excavatum. The doctors placed three metal bars under his sternum to hold it up. In March, they had to replace the bars due to shifting and added two more for stabilization. October of 2012 brought another hurdle when David had to undergo a full spinal instrumentation and fusion. They placed two metal rods and bone grafting along his spine to help correct his severe kyphoscoliosis. This upcoming spring, he will have open heart surgery to replace his aortic root and fix his mitral valve; this will correct an aortic aneurysm and mitral valve prolapse. David’s amazing sense of humor and outlook on life has allowed him to call himself the “’Ironman’, more metal than man.”
David continues to amaze me. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, David is the most upbeat, humorous, spontaneous, compassionate, tenacious, life-loving young man that I have ever met. Our “Ironman” refuses to allow Marfan syndrome to define who he is and what he is capable of. He continues to dream and live and love. He never complains. He inspires and teaches. There is not a life around him that is untouched. He continuously shares with those around him how to live in the moment, laugh, and love. He is truly my hero and inspiration; an “Ironman” in more ways than one.
- Stephanie Barnes, Race Founder