Chris Wright has become the first-known NBA player to have multiple sclerosis when he signed a 10-day deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Wright was diagnosed with the debilitating disease while playing in the Turkish Basketball League last season.
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The first sign of the disease occurred when his foot gave out while he was running line sprints at the end of a March practice. Wright lost sensation and felt pain and numbness in his right hand, right arm and right leg that night, prompting him to visit multiple doctors and specialists before the disease was finally diagnosed correctly.
,.nba player chris wright
Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, numbness, loss of balance, poor coordination, blurred vision and problems with memory and focus, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
…nba player chris wright
Wright originally was told by Turkish doctors that his basketball career was finished.
..nba player chris wright
“The doctors told me that, but I didn’t think so,” said the 23 year-old Wright. “I just knew it’d be a process.”
..nba player chris wright
“Chris is a true point guard that’s consistently ranked as one of the top point guards in the D-League this season,” Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. “He’s a high-character, tough competitor who’s had to consistently overcome personal challenges like MS to put himself in this position. The physical obstacles he’s had to contend with are significant.”
…nba player chris wright
Added coach Rick Carlisle “It shows determination and an element of resourcefulness…. and it’s going to give inspiration to others that may have similar conditions.”
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Wright says that his disease is now in remission. He visits a specialist for a checkup every six months, and takes one dose of MS medicine once a month.
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“There’s not a cure for MS,” Wright said. “Can there be a relapse? Absolutely. But with the way I’ve been progressing and the way my body has been — it helps that I’m an athlete as well — it reduces the risk of that happening again. I just go from there and see what happens.”
…nba player chris wright
“That’s definitely one of the things I pride myself on, being the face of it and being an inspiration and motivation for people to keep fighting.” said Wright.
.nba player chris wright
Having lost a very dear and close friend to MS several years ago, I know how trying living with the illness can be. Writing, standing, eating — the very capabilities that most take for granted can be a huge challenge for MS sufferers. The moment that doctors gave the diagnosis, it would have been easy (and very understandable) for Chris Wright to give up on his dreams of joining the NBA. However, he chose to do the very opposite, and use his condition as a means of motivation to keep pressing forward. Truly inspiring indeed.
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I wish the very best of luck to Chris Wright in his success and his health for all of his future endeavors!
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(image from: espn)
(story from: nydailynews)
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