The Voice: Learn More About Cami Clune's Disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Through her performances on The Voice season 19, Cami Clune has been showing viewers that having a rare disease doesn’t have to hold you back from achieving your dreams. After wowing at the blind auditions, she joined Team Kelly, where she continues to stand strong in the competition, despite her diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Cami’s mesmerizing rendition of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” prompted all four The Voice judges to press their buttons, with Kelly doing so after only a few notes. As viewers became captivated by the 20-year-old Buffalo, New York, native's charm and talent, many became curious about her disorder. The young singer was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder in high school. This disorder is called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Mayo Clinic describes Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as, "a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provide strength and elasticity to the underlying structures in your body." People with this disorder often have fragile skin and overly flexible joints. The weakness of the skin can complicate the treatment of wounds that require stitches.
There are a variety of types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, including a severe form of the disorder known as vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Because there are so many variations of the disorder, the severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The disorder is associated with genetic causes and certain variations of it are believed to be inherited. Complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome include a higher chance of scarring, early-onset arthritis, and joint dislocations. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this disorder. As The Voice contestant is proving, a diagnosis does not prevent someone from living a normal life, though the disorder likely triggers chronic pain.
In addition to singing, Cami is a talented dancer and is active on both TikTok and YouTube. The triple threat also enjoys acting and currently attends The University of Buffalo. She frequently uses her platforms to help others. For example, her organization Backyard Broadway raises money for people in need through performances. The beauty with the heart of gold is currently left standing with Desz on Team Kelly, following the eliminations of Madeline Consoer and Tanner Gomes. Fans of Cami can continue to follow her journey by tuning into new episodes of The Voice on NBC.
The Voice season 19 airs Mondays & Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.
Source: Mayo Clinic