1/09/07 - Alex Ramos RBF NEWS on Mike Tyson OPEN LETTER FROM ALEX RAMOS, RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION: I am the founder and president of the Retired Boxers Foundation. Our mission is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring, to a dignified retirement. We are writing this letter of support for Mike Tyson, who is a friend. Needless to say, public perception of the retired champion is based on what they read or what they see in the media. Having been in the fight game for over twenty-five years, I can tell you with confidence, that much of what is said in the press is said to promote a fight or the fighter. Most of it is fiction. Granted, there are facts that cannot be over looked, but there are also many factors that lead to the ugly side of a messed up fighter. I know from my own personal experiences as well as the experiences of the hundreds of retired fighters we have helped. At the Retired Boxers Foundation, we choose to look at a fighter in need just like the emergency room doctor examining a gunshot victim: We don't ask the patient whose fault it was, why they were where they were, or what started the altercation. Like the ER doctor, we evaluate what is in front of us and treat what we see. Unfortunately, law enforcement and the courts have to look at these issues and all we are saying is that we could save the taxpayers in Arizona a lot of money if they can get Mike the medical care he needs and drug treatment. Arizona, like most states has an Intensive Dual Diagnosis Treatment program that would be more effective for Mike than jail time. It would be the more humane thing to do. I, for one, recognize Mike Tyson for the contributions he has made to us every time he entered that ring and risked his life for our entertainment. We are suggesting that a more compassionate thing to do would be to give him a chance at rehabilitation. Basically, we are asking the people of Arizona not to jump to conclusions too quickly. While the Prosecutor wants jail time for Tyson, we believe he should be treated, not as a celebrity, but as an ordinary man who needs help. The facts support the allegation that Mike Tyson has a drug problem, and he admitted as much. By all reports, he has behaved as a gentleman both at the scene and in court. Mike was given a field sobriety test, which he failed. What most people do not know is that the field sobriety test is, in reality, three tests known as the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST), which are used in every state. The tests are basically observations of a defendant's balance, coordination, and ability to follow directions. While the SFST is used to assess a person's impairment, it does not necessarily mean impairment due to alcohol consumption, although that is primarily the reason the test is administered. What is important to note in Mike Tyson's case is that he failed the field sobriety test, but did NOT test positive for blood alcohol. The failure of Mike Tyson to pass the SFST is far more likely to be the result of a brain injury causing neuro-cognitive impairment. There are more than 2 million cases of traumatic brain injury every year. Of these, some 300,000 require hospitalization and approximately 80,000 develop a serious chronic and profoundly life-changing alteration of their brains, their behaviors and their personal life. Mike Tyson has been in many wars, inside and out of the boxing ring. As a heavyweight, it is obvious that the blows he has absorbed could have caused more damage than you or I can see, but his actions clearly indicate that he has suffered and continues to suffer from a declining emotional state, for which is may be using drugs to treat his depression that even he does not seem to understand. The Retired Boxers Foundation and our medical advisory board recommend a complete neuro-psych evaluation for Mike, and that he specifically be evaluated for what clearly appears to be neuro-cognitive impairments. Mike Tyson would not be the only retired fighter suffering from impulsivity, poor judgment, disorganization, irritability, mood swings (to name a few) that are classic symptoms of chronic or traumatic brain injury. We are not providing this as an "excuse" for Mike Tyson's mistakes, but more so to educate the public on the injuries suffered by many people, not just boxers, who suffer from traumatic or chronic brain injuries. I have lived this life and I have suffered from frontal and temporal lobe damage. My Executive Director, Jacquie Richardson, said I am the "Poster Child" for retired boxers who suffer damage as a result of not just boxing, but poor choices in terms of substance abuse and life style. I know from my own experience that treatment helps and that there are medications that can help Mike Tyson live a less chaotic life. It ain't easy, but with commitment, he can have a satisfying retirement. For more information on Brain Injuries, please visit the Retired Boxers Foundation website at www.retiredboxers.org, and look under the "Resources" tab. Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos Founder & President RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION www.retiredboxers.org Dr. Raymond Monsell RBF MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER RBF RBF President, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos and RBF Medical Advisory Board Member, Dr. Ray Monsell to Receive Award from the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians! Distinguished Educator of the Year – Dr. Raymond Monsell (Ringside Medicine Researcher – United Kingdom) Beth A. Adams-----http://www.concussionrehab.com/ Beth A. Adams is on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts and on the Medical Advisory Committee for the Retired Boxers Foundation. She is also the Neurocognitive Assessment Specialist at the Brigham and Women Neurological Sports Injury Center. She is in private practice in Salem, Massachusetts and can be reached at (978) 741-0100. Jacquie, You are truly a special person. You also share some of my concerns as well. Either way you want to look at this-Mike Tyson does have nerucognitive impairments. As do many fighters!!!! Things like impulsivity, poor judgement, disorganization, irritability, mood swings to name a few. I am not saying he is a saint either but look at this picture. It is screaming neurotrauma!!!! Let me know if you need any resources or need me to further pass this along to someone in his camp. Take care Beth A. Adams Hi Jacquie, I know I have a few email addresses on file for you so I hope I got it right. If not-big hello to Alex and to please pass this on to Jacquie. I am responding to your previous email about Mike Tyson. You make many valid points. The fact that he needs appropriate treatment for brain injury, substance abuse AND legal representation from an attorney who knows about all of the above!!!! Again I have several resources to pass on..or at the very least this makes for excellent conversation about needing to know what is out there by way of information and treatment. All the best Beth A. Adams For more information, go to www.braininjury.com http://www.braininjury.com/symptoms.html SYMPTOM CHECKLIST A wide variety of symptoms can occur after "brain injury." The nature of the symptoms depends, in large part, on where the brain has been injured. Below find a list of possible physical and cognitive symptoms which can arise from damage to specific areas of the brain:
Frontal Lobe: Forehead * Loss of simple movement of various body parts (Paralysis). * Inability to plan a sequence of complex movements needed to complete multi-stepped tasks, such as making coffee (Sequencing). * Loss of spontaneity in interacting with others. * Loss of flexibility in thinking. * Persistence of a single thought (Perseveration). * Inability to focus on task (Attending). * Mood changes (Emotionally Labile). * Changes in social behavior. * Changes in personality. * Difficulty with problem solving. * Inability to express language (Broca's Aphasia). Parietal Lobe: near the back and top of the head * Inability to attend to more than one object at a time. * Inability to name an object (Anomia). * Inability to locate the words for writing (Agraphia). * Problems with reading (Alexia). * Difficulty with drawing objects. * Difficulty in distinguishing left from right. * Difficulty with doing mathematics (Dyscalculia). * Lack of awareness of certain body parts and/or surrounding space (Apraxia) that leads to difficulties in self-care. * Inability to focus visual attention. * Difficulties with eye and hand coordination. Occipital Lobes: most posterior, at the back of the head * Defects in vision (Visual Field Cuts). * Difficulty with locating objects in environment. * Difficulty with identifying colors (Color Agnosia). * Production of hallucinations. * Visual illusions - inaccurately seeing objects. * Word blindness - inability to recognize words. * Difficulty in recognizing drawn objects. * Inability to recognize the movement of object (Movement Agnosia). * Difficulties with reading and writing. Temporal Lobes: side of head above ears * Difficulty in recognizing faces (Prosopagnosia). * Difficulty in understanding spoken words (Wernicke's Aphasia). * Disturbance with selective attention to what we see and hear. * Difficulty with identification of, and verbalization about objects. * Short term memory loss. * Interference with long term memory. * Increased and decreased interest in sexual behavior. * Inability to catagorize objects (Categorization). * Right lobe damage can cause persistent talking. * Increased aggressive behavior. Brain Stem: deep within the brain * Decreased vital capacity in breathing, important for speech. * Swallowing food and water (Dysphagia). * Difficulty with organization/perception of the environment. * Problems with balance and movement. * Dizziness and nausea (Vertigo). * Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia, sleep apnea). Cerebellum: base of the skull * Loss of ability to coordinate fine movements. * Loss of ability to walk. * Inability to reach out and grab objects. * Tremors. * Dizziness (Vertigo). * Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech). * Inability to make rapid movements. Recommended Reading In the process of looking for the latest information on boxing and boxing related injuries, we have comprised a list of articles that you can check out. Just click on the title and you should get right to the article. Genetic Susceptibility to Brain Injury in Sports: A Role for Genetic Testing in Athletes by Barry D. Jordan MD, MPH BOXING AND THE BRAIN: The National Parkinsons Foundation (Go to the search bar and type in "boxing." Go to "Boxing and the Brain.) SHOULD BOXING BE BANNED: A REBUTTAL TO THE AMA ALZHEIMERS MEETS ITS MATCH IN BOXERS: Article suggests that some boxers are predisposed to early dementia SPORTS INJURIES AND MEDICINE LORD OF THE RING: Dr. Van Buren Lemons on Boxing RINGSIDE AND TRAINING PRINCIPLES: Boxing safety Q & A top of page |
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