- Joined
- May 16, 2007
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I can relate to Chris Bosh in a lot of ways. He and I have the same blood condition that makes us more prone to getting blood clots than other people. He probably has the Factor V blood condition that I do. It isn't so bad, just that you have to take blood thinners to prevent clots from forming again. The reason Bosh's career is over isn't because he can no longer compete at the highest level, but that they won't let him compete because basketball is a physical, contact sport. With blood thinners making you more prone to bleeding, this is a risk that the NBA isn't willing to take. I, myself, have gotten clots in my lung (pulmonary embolism) on two separate occasions this year. In fact, I was just released from the hospital after my second bout with them only a day ago. I am a truck driver, and after an embolism, California law prohibits you from driving a commercial vehicle for three months after an embolism. So I am also out of work. lol.
I'm more bummed for Bosh than I am even for myself. I was denied disability (because illegal immigrants need my tax dollars more than I do in California) and the three months of no income is a massive strain on me financially. However, I can empathize with Bosh in other ways. I understand what it's like to be a competitor. I had a fairly promising athletic career as a youngster. MMA and pro baseball were both strong options for me. I bowed out of MMA because at the time I was pursuing it (even now, actually), you have to be at the top of the mountain if you want to earn a truly comfortable living. Back when I was in training, you had to cover your own medical bills. I had tremendous promise with my extensive background in traditional kickboxing and muay thai, but also had holes in my grappling game. Risk assessment pushed me toward pro ball. My best chance at that time was trying out for the local minor league affiliates. Only problem was the year that I was fully prepared to try out was the year they stopped holding try outs and recruited directly from college. A few years later, I developed a clot in my leg and discovered my condition. Now I just hit the heavy bag and play for local adult baseball leagues.
Now look at Chris Bosh. Yeah, he's a multi-millionaire who will never have to work another day in his life. But unlike me, he made it to the highest level, and not only that, he reached the pinnacle of his sports career. Basketball is the only thing he knows in life, and it's the only thing he's done throughout his entire adult life. It's more than living comfortably and having money. This dude lost everything he knows. I'm not sure there is anything more devastating for a high level athlete than to be forced to leave the sport you live for, without doing so under your own terms. We catch a glimpse of the hurt in athletes when they reach the age where they can no longer perform at the highest level and decide to retire. Forced out because of a fluke blood condition in the prime of your life is a completely different monster to deal with entirely. I am extremely bummed for Chris Bosh. Good dude off the court, too. I really hope this doesn't destroy him mentally. There aren't many people on the planet hurting worse than Chris Bosh is right now.
I'm more bummed for Bosh than I am even for myself. I was denied disability (because illegal immigrants need my tax dollars more than I do in California) and the three months of no income is a massive strain on me financially. However, I can empathize with Bosh in other ways. I understand what it's like to be a competitor. I had a fairly promising athletic career as a youngster. MMA and pro baseball were both strong options for me. I bowed out of MMA because at the time I was pursuing it (even now, actually), you have to be at the top of the mountain if you want to earn a truly comfortable living. Back when I was in training, you had to cover your own medical bills. I had tremendous promise with my extensive background in traditional kickboxing and muay thai, but also had holes in my grappling game. Risk assessment pushed me toward pro ball. My best chance at that time was trying out for the local minor league affiliates. Only problem was the year that I was fully prepared to try out was the year they stopped holding try outs and recruited directly from college. A few years later, I developed a clot in my leg and discovered my condition. Now I just hit the heavy bag and play for local adult baseball leagues.
Now look at Chris Bosh. Yeah, he's a multi-millionaire who will never have to work another day in his life. But unlike me, he made it to the highest level, and not only that, he reached the pinnacle of his sports career. Basketball is the only thing he knows in life, and it's the only thing he's done throughout his entire adult life. It's more than living comfortably and having money. This dude lost everything he knows. I'm not sure there is anything more devastating for a high level athlete than to be forced to leave the sport you live for, without doing so under your own terms. We catch a glimpse of the hurt in athletes when they reach the age where they can no longer perform at the highest level and decide to retire. Forced out because of a fluke blood condition in the prime of your life is a completely different monster to deal with entirely. I am extremely bummed for Chris Bosh. Good dude off the court, too. I really hope this doesn't destroy him mentally. There aren't many people on the planet hurting worse than Chris Bosh is right now.
