Rodney Grahame: Rheumatologist and expert in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders

Rodney Grahame was a rheumatologist and an expert in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders. He often stated that no other condition in the history of modern medicine had been neglected as much as EDS. With this bold statement, he aimed to challenge the medical community to provide more meaningful attention to the concerns of patients with EDS and their families. In 2000, he told the Observer that the syndrome “could be a prime cause of pain in the community.” He also noted that EDS tended to be trivialized, even by the medical profession, and patients were often seen as “weird” and not taken seriously. At a time when Ehlers-Danlos syndromes were much misunderstood, overlooked, or simply dismissed, Grahame played a vital role in improving their understanding by doctors. He championed his patients, believing them and offering them attention and treatment.