Not just no, but fuck no.
My first thought was “I hope to hell he has been appropriately screened for atlanto-axial joint instability.” Furo was rather understating the situation when he talked about ortho and cardiac considerations. Generally speaking a trisomy 21 patient is at high risk to have ligamentous laxity(the usual scare here is the previous mentioned AAI, but increased risk of other joints subluxating or dislocating is real), muscle hypotonia, cardiac defects, and respiratory defects.
Google turned up this in the AANA Journal, it does a good job of reviewing all the ways normal anestesia and surgery can pose a greater risk for a Trisomy 21 patient:
https://www.aana.com/newsandjournal/Documents/p103-107.pdf
Even if AAI has been ruled out, I am still thinking that he would be facing greater than normal risks/consequences. Respiratory and cardiac considerations indicate being unconscious is more risky. Add hypotonia and an admittedly reduced “reaction time” and I see a young man who is more likely to get hit, likely to be injured more severely from blows and joint locks, and at a greater risk for complications from said injuries.
I don’t know to what extent he can legally make his own decisions about these risks(informed consent is sketchy enough without reduced mental status being a question). My normal way of thinking is that as long as the patient knows, and they are only risking/hurting themselves, I am good with it. In this case I am not sure about consent and the liability attached if he is hurt. I am venturing out of my lane, but I have a hard time thinking that any amateur governing body would sanction him for competition or seeing a physician clear him.
Again, I am not a subject matter expert in traumatic injury or Trisomy 21. My education with regards to the condition has dealt almost completely with the increased risks/pathophysiologies of it. Garret’s story is inspirational. I hope he continues to train. I feel he should be supported, but I would need to hear from some individuals with some pretty relevent clinical experience, and some expensive letters after their names to convince me that letting him fight in a real, sanctioned, match is support and not undue risk.
[quote]DarkNinjaa wrote:
It’s awesome to see he has a passion for something and enjoys training.
Best of luck to him.[/quote]
In spite of all I wrote above, I would cheer my head off at one of his exhibition matches.
Regards,
Robert A
Edited: Because I cannot spell.