Isaiah Austin is making a difference for kids with Marfan syndrome
A year ago, Isaiah Austin was a potential first round NBA draft pick, and he had a chance to become a role model for young people through his work on the hardwood. He never got a chance to play professional basketball, but that hasn’t prevented him from making a huge difference in the lives of others.
Marfan syndrome cost Austin his on-court basketball career, but his diagnosis and transparency through it all has helped save lives.
14-year-old Owen Gray is just one of the people Austin has helped by spreading awareness of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue and can cause fatal heart problems if undiagnosed and untreated.
“When we saw NBA Commissioner Adam Silver make Isaiah a ceremonial pick at last year’s draft, it struck me that my son had a lot of the same features as Isaiah, the features of Marfan. He’s tall and lanky, with long arms and legs. He also has eye issues,’’ said Owen’s father, Rod Gray, in a statement issued to Boston.com. “I brought Owen to the doctor the day after the draft and the diagnosis was made. I am so grateful to Isaiah because he saved my son’s life.’’
Austin’s diagnosis brought awareness of Marfan syndrome to an all-time high, according to the Marfan Foundation. The foundation reports that in May 2014, there were 65,000 hits to its website, Marfan.org; but in June 2014, after Austin’s diagnosis, there were nearly half a million website hits.
In addition to his work with the Marfan Foundation, Austin is finishing up his degree at Baylor University. After his was ceremoniously drafted by the NBA in 2014, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver promised him a job in the league office once he graduated from college.
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