Grim Reaper 185 Posted December 31, 2013 The Joost van der Westhuizen thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted January 1, 2014 Who is this bloke and why is he on the 2014 list? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainChorizo 1,945 Posted January 1, 2014 Hopefully he is not this years Fergie Fredriksen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torbrexbones 717 Posted January 1, 2014 He is a South African rugby player and is not a well man, I have him on my DDP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR976evil 902 Posted January 1, 2014 Diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and given 2-5 years to live, now in a wheelchair, would keep an eye on him even if he does last out the year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted January 1, 2014 Thanking ye all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SalmonMousse 25 Posted January 1, 2014 played scrum half in team that won the rugby world cup in 9(4)5. when Nelson was out and president. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest groomr Posted January 1, 2014 Joost was one of the finest scrum halves to play the game, phenomenal talent, great vision for the game. Instrumental in the South African victory at RWC '95. Sad end for a great player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildstorm 297 Posted February 28, 2014 He's determined to stay alive for a while yet. Not sure how much control he has on that, however he claims "there is nothing wrong with [his] brain or [his] heart" and also recently announced "that he has decided to be artificially ventilated when his lungs are no longer able to function on their own". He's as stubborn as Zsa Zsa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themaninblack 2,112 Posted February 28, 2014 He's determined to stay alive for a while yet. Not sure how much control he has on that, however he claims "there is nothing wrong with [his] brain or [his] heart" and also recently announced "that he has decided to be artificially ventilated when his lungs are no longer able to function on their own". He's as stubborn as Zsa Zsa. If he lives as long as her it would be a fucking miracle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,414 Posted March 1, 2014 He's determined to stay alive for a while yet. Not sure how much control he has on that, however he claims "there is nothing wrong with [his] brain or [his] heart" and also recently announced "that he has decided to be artificially ventilated when his lungs are no longer able to function on their own". He's as stubborn as Zsa Zsa. I know that once you get artificially ventilated for extended period of time your chances of pneumonia and other illnesses skyrocket , i would say he has a 50/50 chance of dying this year . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,168 Posted May 25, 2014 http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/life-must-go-on-says-joost-1.1691699#.U4KAvjMo-70 - He is still fighting but losing weight despite eating lots which is surely a bad sign indeed!When he does go surely his caption will have to be "give me joost a little more time"? I know it isn`t phonetically correct but it reads well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,414 Posted June 7, 2014 http://www.iol.co.za...99#.U4KAvjMo-70 - He is still fighting but losing weight despite eating lots which is surely a bad sign indeed!When he does go surely his caption will have to be "give me joost a little more time"? I know it isn`t phonetically correct but it reads well. It is phonetically correct if your Scottish . The most surprising thing is doctors have said there will be a cure in 4 years. I find this hard to believe they still don't know what causes it . I'm pretty sure i know what causes it though (working in the medical field myself i take an interest in stuff like this). The neuron's get overloaded and they're slowly turned off by the brain to protect them,the brian doesn't have a automatic restart for this. Probably the reason many athletes get this disease, or a part of the brain switches off the neuron's slowly (usually caused by a blow to the head) as a way to reset the brain and protect the body and a simple operation on the brain (if we can locate this part of the brain responsible for shutting off the neurons) could simply turn back on the connection (this won't help the neurons that have already died off though). If you think of your brain as a computer and think of safety cut out switches and shutting down due to being overloaded/overheated and MND as a consequence of these things it becomes alot more clearer and makes more sense. I'm still surprised to this day there hasn't been any trials ,tests ,experiments etc as to why a large proportion of athletes get this disease . I searched the internet many times and visited a few MND forums and nothing , even some of the sufferers are asking why a large percentage of those diagnosed are athletes . I'm more than positive the beginning of a cure lies there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainChorizo 1,945 Posted June 7, 2014 There is a cure but only Stephen Hawking is rich enough to afford it for now 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,168 Posted August 31, 2014 -Does the ALS ice bucket challenge. Looks very thin but in good spirits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,414 Posted August 31, 2014 -Does the ALS ice bucket challenge. Looks very thin but in good spirits. Looks good considering noticed he is not able to move much now but is still breathing independently so he could make next year . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Zorders 1,270 Posted August 31, 2014 This is literally the stupidest thing ever. People with ALS doing the ALS ice-bucket challenge. ... We're ready for the missiles now, Vladimir. Fire. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rob in Hartford Posted September 21, 2014 Really saddened and shocked to hear this about Joost. Wish him all the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_engineer 1,414 Posted September 28, 2014 http://carteblanche.dstv.com/player/617534/ update from September 2nd looks quite good considering.I think he will make it to next year now. He was quite muscular and in shape so his muscles may take longer to atrophy. It will be his 5th year next year and people with ALS are given 2 to 5 years. Will he beat the odds and survive to 2016 ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Flag 84 Posted October 4, 2014 He doesn't look too bad here, but god this is bleak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charon 4,942 Posted October 4, 2014 Guy behind him working the remote control ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cat O'Falk 3,290 Posted October 4, 2014 Guy behind him working the remote control ? I think he's trying to access his 2015 DDP List. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,168 Posted October 5, 2014 He doesn't look too bad here, but god this is bleak His face looks so gaunt and strained .His face is gaunt and it appears he can`t control facial expressions.I would give him 12 months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phantom 2,518 Posted October 5, 2014 He doesn't look too bad here, but god this is bleak His face looks so gaunt and strained .His face is gaunt and it appears he can`t control facial expressions.I would give him 12 months. Is the guy behind him working a remote control for his legs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charon 4,942 Posted October 5, 2014 Is he morphing into comedian Ryan Stiles ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites