What do you guys think about Khiawatha Downey.

[SeatownBillsFan21]

I think this guy would be a steal in the later rounds hes got Mupltiple Sclerosis but seems just fine to me what do you think about him??

[Tatonka]

there was just a thread about this in here somewhere.

[TigerJ]

I don't know about the other thread, but here's what I know about MS and Downey.

MS is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the myelin tissue. Myelin tissue, composed of Schwan cells, provides a protective covering for nerves. Intact myelin is essential for the proper transmission of nerve impulses.

The cause of MS is unknown. There appears to be some familial factor but it is not believe to be caused by a gene. The suspicion is that it may be caused by a virus in persons who are vulnerable. This is not an unknown phenomenon. Malaria is caused by an organism. However, in Africa where malaria is prevalent, persons with one gene for sickle cell anemia have a natural resistance to the disease. While they have some cells with the typical sickle cell shape, they live symptom free. Of course with two genes, they have full blown sickle cell anemia, and unpleasant condition in itself. The genetic factor that may offer resistance or increase vulnerability to tendency to develop MS is unknown.

The range of symptoms for MS is considerable. My wife's sister-in-law has MS and it affects her memory, ability to concentrate, and her moods. That's pretty rare. It can affect eyesight. Normally it causes muscular weakness and numbness. The earlier the onset, Downey would seem to be a fairly early onset, the slower the progression of the disease seems to be.

In many cases the early stage of MS is characterized by an episodic nature. Patients can have occassional flareups interupted by periods where they are symptom free. Eventually, patients may move to a progressive phase where there are no longer symptom free periods and the progress of the disease becomes steadier. That's where my wife's sister-in-law is now. The literature on the disease suggests that even though there can be symptom free periods the underlying neural damage continues to occur.

There are a number of medications that are taken to try and slow the progress of the disease. My wife's sister-in-law takes interferon. It costs $1,000 per month. Downey is taking a newer drug, Avonex. I know nothing about its effectiveness.

I heard that some specialist who has dealt with Downey suggests that there is no reason he can't play in the NFL and that his MS will not cause serious disability until he reaches his 50s or 60s. It seems odd that he is able to make that prediction. My wife's sister-in-law is 40, though her onset was later (faster progress). I know that early on she was told that she must not do anything that caused her to become overheated (sweat) because that would aggravate symptoms and perhaps accelerate the progress of the disease. She couldn't even take real hot showers.

Obviously, in football, players are going to be doing a lot of that. I would say that any team interested in drafting this guy will want to do their homework.

[Devin]

I read that espn article as well, damn shame bout this kid. Id take him at one point considered a 1st day talent.

Id steal him in the later rounds easy.

[Tatonka]

Tiger.. very intelligent post, that explains the disease very well. thanks..

btw.. did you stay at a holiday in last night?

[Jan Reimers]

Downey sounds like a reasonable late round gamble. He might even turn out to be a very good player, besides being a great human interest story.

[TigerJ]

Tatonka, my personality type suggests that I'm a "know it all." LOL Seriously, when things happen to me or to anyone in my extended family I make it my business to learn as much as I can about it. Sometime when Attention Deficit Disorder comes up as a topic on some thread, I'll bore you all with what I've learned about that. My son has that.

[Tatonka]

well if you want to know about IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) i can tell you all you need to know about it.



unfortunately.

[Thailog80]

Khiawatha?? WTF did that poor kid do in utero to piss his parents off enough to shackle him with that gem?

[DraftBoy]

Originally posted by Tatonka
well if you want to know about IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) i can tell you all you need to know about it.



unfortunately.

I hear ya I got the same thing, also Anxiety Disorder. I know more than my fair share about these two.

[Forward_Lateral]

Man, this is a very touchy subject, and I don't know if I'd draft him or not. You have to look at it like any other injury I suppose, like Willis and his knee last year. I guess if he is still capable of playing at a higher level without a high risk of worsening his condition, or accelerating the diasese, then maybe he deserves a chance. I don't know, I would do my homework before drafting him, like Tiger said.

[TigerJ]

Diverticulosis (some of the same symptoms as IBS). I'm fine as long as I get my 25 grams of fiber per day. LOL

[ryjam282]

Originally posted by TigerJ
Tatonka, my personality type suggests that I'm a "know it all." LOL Seriously, when things happen to me or to anyone in my extended family I make it my business to learn as much as I can about it. Sometime when Attention Deficit Disorder comes up as a topic on some thread, I'll bore you all with what I've learned about that. My son has that.

Funny you should mention that Tiger, I had that as a kid and I was given the then exploratory drug, Ridalin, worked wonders on me. Prior to that, I got thrown out of 5 nursery schools and expelled from grade school in Kindergarten....Then, after taking the pills (3 a day). I was voted most improved student of the year...Now look at me, a washed up ex pro baseball player who is hoping to catch on in the AFL as a QB.... Nice life huh

But, in all, the Ridalin really helped me in school with concentrating and stuff and my grades were substantially higher as a result.

[Tatonka]

Originally posted by TigerJ
Diverticulosis (some of the same symptoms as IBS). I'm fine as long as I get my 25 grams of fiber per day. LOL

if i took fiber on top of my ibs.. i would never leave the john. ever.

[The Spaz]