Morbid subject.

[AAndre]

Hi Guys.

Sorry to bring this morbid subject up. I suffer from Motor Neuron Disease, but not as far advanced as Joost. There are others, Thinus Linee, being one of them.

A "normal question" lately often asked me, after introduction, is "did you play rugby?" I did in fact, until I was thirty seven. I am now sixty four.

Folks here have a suspicion that grass and mns have something in common. Loopy? Long shot, this grass theory, but one has to start somewhere.

In your respective countries, do you know of any rugby player, in whatever league, who contacted mns in later life? Surname and city would be handy, to avoid duplications.

I do realise that other sports are played on grass, but would like to remain with what I like. Rugby, initially.

Can you also indicate, with a fifty percent margin of certainty, whether the person was ever involved/ subjected to areal crop dusting. Did he live near an area where this form of spraying was applied?

Local doctors are interested in the subject and I offered to help, by gathering information and assuming the bona fides of the project is worthy and for a noble cause.

Regards an Peace.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No one in my area.

Crop dusting in the UK is non existent pretty much and has been for quite a while. It is still common in Southern Europe I believe.

I think there this prob a very likely chance the two are linked there has been articles on the subject in the Uk, (admittedly not in many big name papers and more to do with spraying near residential areas not areal ).

I always found Areal spraying as a pretty uncontrolled way of spraying alright in massive crops like in the US but wouldn't like the thought of it being used anywhere near a public space.

There is a reason why Farmers wear so much protection when handling the stuff it is not nice at all.

 

[AAndre]

Thanks for the response. Crop-dusting here is big. One of the most vile and deadly insecticides, "Temmic" is largely used on citrus trees. A lot of modernisation has been legally enforced over the last years, tractor cab's, air extraction of cabs, gas masks and protective clothing. However, the poor guy and his family, sleeping in their house next to the orchards, have no protection. Spraying of the citrus is at night, because there is no wind and the insects are out! We lived about twenty metres from a wheat field and were annually "wet", by whatever came out of the aircraft. On the subject of food and waste: About 20% of mass produced chicken feed is made from "chicken blood meal". The chicken excrement is sold on as cattle feed and mixed with molasses, fed to cattle. Cattle skeletons are ground and fed back to the cattle, as bone meal. So the meat we eat are from "cannibal" animals. Add hormones and steroids and wonder, why we do not produce children that run on all fours? Incidentally, chicken is legally injected with twelve percent water/chlorine mixture. Next time you eat chicken and steak, say Grace and add a bit, asking for protection! LoL! Peace.

 

[HowieLO6]

Andre, sympathies to you. Can't imagine they help at all, but still worth saying.

In terms of players in my neck of the woods, none that I know of. That said, I am a Londoner and I'm not sure that any pitches I've every played on have used any form of pesticide or insecticide.

If you want to take it further, maybe the US is a good place. Steve Gleason is an ex-NFL player who is also battling MNS. He would have been brought up on a heady diet of pristine and manicured (and treated) fields since his youth. Happy to point you in the direction of some good articles on him if you'd like.

 

[AAndre]

Thanks Howie. It always helps. The most important piece kit however, is a sense of humour. We have had many a laugh over this. Fell into a barbecue one night. Grill, meat, fire all over the place! Wife extinguishes the whole lot. Rolls me onto a blanket and drags me off to be. She is small and I was 115 kg. Battle to get me onto bed. Still giggle about that one! But ja, thanks and I will Google this Gleason Oke. Peace.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Sorry to hear Andre. Keep well!

 

[Tony Manx]

Hi Guys.

Sorry to bring this morbid subject up. I suffer from Motor Neuron Disease, but not as far advanced as Joost. There are others, Thinus Linee, being one of them.

A "normal question" lately often asked me, after introduction, is "did you play rugby?" I did in fact, until I was thirty seven. I am now sixty four.

Folks here have a suspicion that grass and mns have something in common. Loopy? Long shot, this grass theory, but one has to start somewhere.

In your respective countries, do you know of any rugby player, in whatever league, who contacted mns in later life? Surname and city would be handy, to avoid duplications.

I do realise that other sports are played on grass, but would like to remain with what I like. Rugby, initially.

Can you also indicate, with a fifty percent margin of certainty, whether the person was ever involved/ subjected to areal crop dusting. Did he live near an area where this form of spraying was applied?

Local doctors are interested in the subject and I offered to help, by gathering information and assuming the bona fides of the project is worthy and for a noble cause.

Regards an Peace.

David Niven died of MNS and would suggest that, according to his memoirs, he did not have time to be near grass after all his time either working, or drinking or bedding!!

The only personal experience was a doctor client who died and he had no sporting inclination whatsoever.

Having spent time with him, I can understand the insidious nature of this illness and wish you well and "enjoy every day".......which is not a bad motto for everyone !

Good luck......

 

[AAndre]

Hei Boet. See reply to you guys at comment below.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks "The Oval" and Tony. I really appreciate your wishes. Nice to know that unknown people, in unknown places, take the time to say "cheers" to an unknown person. Peace and a Blessed Christmas to you guys.