Two decades later, a famous American football player, Tim Green; while coaching Skaneateles Lakers on the field was not able to walk and shout-out the instructions; like always.
People around; was completely unaware; of what he was going through.
One of the interviews Tim said; he first realized that something is wrong; when he was unable to use a nail-clipper.
In the year 1996, Tim stated that he has gone through a lot of pain and scars that show; he played the game.
Further, he got eliminated for three years from the game but he was back in the year 1999 and played for NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
When he took retirement; he started writing novels for young and old at the upstate New York home; to feel fit mentally and physically.
He stated, “Life can never be long enough.”
Unfortunately, in the year 2016, Tim spoke to his son Troy that he feels something is wrong.
Troy said Tim told him, ‘My hands, you know, it’s getting hard for me to hold the weights,’ And I’d make a joke, ‘Oh, you’re getting old,’
Next, Tim Green visited a hand surgeon and was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is a very rare nervous system disorder.
Troy added, “It was almost taboo. Even, even around the house, no one, we wouldn’t talk about it, we wouldn’t address it. It was just kinda like the elephant in the room”.
In this condition, ALS patients hardly survive for two to five years. Therefore, Green only wished to completely enjoy his last few days with his kids and his wife, at their beautiful home at Skaneateles. Even after a few months post-diagnosis; Tim appeared publically for promotions.
However, Tim’s health condition began to decline, and therefore, he went to Boston to visit a neurologist, Dr. Merit Cudkowicz.
On asking, Dr. Merit Cudkowicz said, “He has one of the better prognoses because he has a slower form. However, everybody with ALS has a serious prognosis. It is, today, a fatal disease”.
Besides, Dr. Cudkowicz has initiated a new treatment method, which reduces the progression of the disease. Improvement is observed.
Tim Green thinks; there is some link between football and the cases of ALS, though it’s not confirmed but the NFL covers concussions and ALS type of injuries.
He also added that he doesn’t remember how many times he has gone through concussions.
Also, the NFL teams used to celebrate their victories with their heads; in the 1980s and ‘90s; no one was much concerned about the critical brain damage.
Tim said, It was a magical and wonderful experience to play football; throughout his career.
He considers, that he wouldn’t have been fighting for his life now if he had started his career after almost 30 years.
However, the NFL has some new set of rules; such as a back helmet to helmet interaction during the practice. Tim by himself strictly follows all such rules; while coaching and training the young team players.
Indeed, writing novels helps Tim to get distracted from his severe illness. Till today, Tim has written 38 books, he wrote the last book on his smartphone; by using his thumb. However, his thumb does not work that well.
He is using technology very well, he has senor on his spectacles that helps to lock letters on his keyboard, next he uses the mouse; to select and the words are developed. Currently, Tim and his family have initiated a social media campaign; to raise for scientific investigation and study on ALS.
