These are tough times for former Chicago Bears defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry, who's dealing with medical problems.
Diagnosed a year ago with Guillain-Barre' syndrome, a chronic inflammation disease that afflicts the peripheral nerves, Perry was hospitalized in April for over a month in South Carolina.
Now, Perry is in a North Carolina rehabilitation center and is doing better, according to the Associated Press.
Per the report, Perry was down to 200 pounds at one point after tipping the scales at 360 to 380 pounds during his 10-year NFL career. Now, he's back in the neighborhood of 275 pounds, which is regarded as an encouraging sign.
Although he's doing better, Perry still reportedly faces tough odds to make a complete recovery.
"Baby steps, I call them," former NFL defensive lineman Michael Dean Perry, Perry's brother, told the AP. "But we can see improvement. . . . Someone of his stature, you always think of your vitality. This opens your eyes."
Perry is battling a cruel disease with no known cure.
A small percentage of patients die from it.
According to medical Web sites, roughly 20 percent of those that are hospitalized suffer from some type of long-term disability.
Perry was initially listed in serious condition when he was hospitalized.
The Perry family has been receiving some financial assistance from the Gridiron Greats, a non-profit foundation that helps out former NFL football players in need.
Per the report, Perry's path to recovery includes a grueling six to seven hours of therapy to address his speech and movement.
The plan is for him to remain the rehab center for a few more weeks before moving to an assisted-living facility.
Perry registered 29 1/2 career sacks, but was best known for his work as an oversized fullback.
As a rookie, he rushed for two touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass. And he scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Plus, Perry was immortalized in "The Super Bowl Shuffle" video.
lol when I saw this headline I knew who wrote it..
Wilson, why do you ONLY write articles that are weeks if not months behind?
I was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome in May of 2008. The diagnosis for it is really quite hard to do, because often times there are no absolute for-sure indicators that that is what it truly is. I have since been told that it may actually be somehting else. Its very hard to tell. I know the pain of nerve famage pretty well, So i am wishing the Fridge the best of luck. I am 22 years old and a year later I still cant walk with out a full leg brace and a cane. I remember seeing this on ehre around the same time I got it last year, and remembering it was weird because its such a rare disease.
My mother had GB, so I'm familiar with it. You essentially lose control of all your nervous functions over time, to the point where you have to be on life support, and then gradually you start to get them back. Some people come back all the way... some come back only partway. People used to die from it in the worst stages - now they just ride through it in an ICU. Still... not pleasant for the victim or their loved ones.
Here's hoping the Fridge is one of the ones that make it all the way back.
VINNY20 I hope you make a full recovery from this. Good luck to you and The Fridge.
goose he isn't the only one, CFT does it all the time.
God bless you William. I pray that you will find the strength in Him to get through these dark days. Loved watching you play with joy!
Is HE DIED?