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Mitchell's Story
Mitchell passed away on November 19, 2008 after a
five-year battle with an undiagnosed illness. The accounting
below starts half way into his heroic journey.
Mitchell is
unable to walk, talk or see and his family needs our help. Here’s
their story.
Mitchell Thorp, a wonderful 16 year old boy, has grown up in
Carlsbad, California with his mom Beth, his dad Brad, and his 14
year old brother Matthew. He attended Aviara Oaks Elementary and
Aviara Middle School. Mitchell’s life has been about family,
friends, sports and his incredible passion for baseball. Mitchell’s
dad pitched AA ball with the Dodgers and has a true love of the
game. Mitchell and Matthew have followed in their father’s footsteps
and have grown up participating in baseball at every opportunity.
Mitchell started in the LCYO (La Costa Youth Organization) league,
at the age of 5, playing T-ball. He continued through the Bronco
division playing on every all-star team and tournament team he
could. All the while, Brad was head coach for both Mitchell and
Matthew and sat on the board of LCYO for 7 years. After Bronco,
Mitchell left the league to play competitive travel baseball. His
brother and dad were introduced to CYB (Carlsbad Youth Baseball),
where Matthew is currently playing Pony with Brad as his coach.
In February 2004, the middle of Mitchell’s seventh grade year, he
started experiencing severe headaches. After several attempts with
different doctors nothing relieved his pain. Then, in September
2004, as Mitchell was starting his eighth grade year, it became
increasingly difficult for him to concentrate. Mitchell had always
been a top student and very disciplined with his studies; but it
became apparent the pain was so severe that Mitchell would have to
continue his studies at home. In October 2004, Mitchell was checked
into Children’s Hospital for a complete workup. After three days of
MRI scans, CT scans, extensive blood workup, and other tests,
Mitchell and his parents left the hospital with no answers. The
tests all came back negative/normal with no diagnosis made or cause
found.
The next focus was a possible TMJ or cranial problem from wearing
braces for the past two and half years. But after several months of
treatment locally nothing relieved the pain and, in fact, it
continued to increase. The Thorps were desperate for help and flew
Mitchell to Florida to see the most reputable cranial doctor in the
country. While being treated in Florida, Mitchell started to
experience myoclonic seizures; his body began to tremor, and the
doctors encouraged Beth and Brad to take Mitchell home. Once again
the Thorps were left with no answers, and Mitchell’s health
continued to decline. There was no relief for his pain.
Mitchell was again admitted to San Diego Children’s Hospital in June
2005. And again he underwent MRI’s, lumbar punctures, blood workups,
and a very complete series of tests. The neurologists,
psychiatrists, hospital physicians, as well as others who were
brought into this case, had no answers for what was happening to
Mitchell. His appetite was decreasing at an alarming rate. He had
lost 35 pounds and was now unable to either feed himself or walk.
In July 2005, shortly after leaving Children’s Hospital, Mitchell
was admitted into the UCLA Pain Center. While there, Mitchell’s pain
was so intense that the myoclonic seizures became constant and the
tremors continuous. Mitchell spent most of his time unconscious
because the pain was so severe. UCLA did yet another series of
tests. Watching their son suffer in these conditions, while waiting
for the test results was a gut wrenching experience. Beth and Brad
took turns staying at UCLA Hospital so Mitchell would never be
alone. They spent many nights walking the halls or in the UCLA
medical library looking for their own answers to Mitchell’s pain.
But as test results started coming back; one after another the
answers were negative. There were again no findings. The doctors
could no longer give them the hope they so desperately sought.
The Thorps were faced with a very difficult decision. Considering
Mitchell’s condition, where could they go? After 30 days at UCLA and
what seemed to be very little time left, the Thorps returned home.
They contacted a doctor and a nutritionist who agreed to work with
Mitchell at home. Their first goals were to attempt to reduce his
pain and to dramatically increase his nutrients. As a result of
their treatments, Mitchell’s pain has decreased; he is spending much
of his time awake; and his tremors and seizures have virtually
stopped. For the first time, in a very long, very stressful time,
there is hope.
The doctor’s diagnosis is heavy metal toxicity coupled with a viral
infection, which effects the central nervous system. The goal now is
to remove these metals from his body, so it can be restored to its
original function. Mitchell is currently going through a number of
therapies to achieve this goal. He has come a long way, but there is
a long way to go. He still cannot walk although he can get himself
out of bed and scoot on the ground. He still cannot open his eyes,
although it appears that one eye will lift half way. He still cannot
speak. It is Mitchell’s hope, and the hope of all those around him
that, as these metals are detoxed from his body, all of these
functions will return.
Please join us in supporting the Thorp family as they have
accumulated enormous medical expenses in trying to find a cure for
their son. Mitchell’s current and past medical expenses have reached
heights far beyond the Thorp’s insurance coverage. We are asking for
donations to help cover these expenses and to provide continuing
care.
Walk-A-Thon
Recap
May 13, 2006
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
THANK YOU for
blessing the Thorp’s.
As a first step to what we all hope will be a complete recovery and
return to baseball action, Mitchell Thorp took the field for the
first time since the fall of 2004, joining an excited throng of
supporters in the May 6th walkathon at Poinsettia Field.
Mitchell was able
to sit in a wheelchair, aided by his parents and nutritionist. He
arrived just prior to the start of the walk, and was able to remain
for over an hour.
A crowd of several
hundred walkers and supporters attended the walkathon in slightly
cool weather which was perfect for the event. Before the walk,
attendees were entertained by San Diego Padre great Randy Jones and
the CHS dance teams. DJ Lou Taverna added to the fun environment
throughout with music, raffle prizes and other announcements.
As Mitchell arrived
just prior to the walk, Lauren Weinberg and Lorayne Lauduski, former
classmates of Mitchell at Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School
gave an emotional tribute to Mitchell. After this, Mitchell’s
nutritionist, Kim Schuette gave an update on Mitchell’s current
medical condition and treatments.
City councilwoman
Anne Kulchin, attending on behalf of the Mayor’s office, addressed
the crowd and congratulated them for their attendance and support of
the Thorp Family, exemplifying the great and giving spirit of our
community. At the end of Mrs. Kulchin’s address, the walk was
officially begun.
The walking route
went throughout Poinsettia Park, with 5 round-trip loops making up
the 4-mile course. At the conclusion of the walk, several grand
prizes were awarded to the individuals and teams that generated the
most contribution amounts. After this, event cochairman Tom Watson
thanked the event committee members for their efforts in planning
and carrying out the event.
Concluding the
event, Beth and Brad Thorp addressed the crowd, thanking the
community for the tremendous support and also relaying a special
story about their son’s courage and faith. It turns out that years
ago, Mitchell had the opportunity to name his dog, and chose the
name Joshua. It was in recognition of his favorite verse from the
bible, Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Blessings
Mitchell’s
Progress
May 16, 2006
Mitchell continues to take small,
but important, steps on his road to recovery. He continues to show
improvement with his ability to hold his head more upright while
scooting around on the floor.
Through daily use of the tilt table, Mitchell is showing improvement
with the amount of weight he can withstand on his legs and body
without becoming dizzy. He started at 28 degrees for 10 minutes and
currently is at 40 degrees for 25 minutes.
The great team of therapists, nutritionists, prayer warriors, and
doctors continue to work very closely with Mitchell to help him in
his healing process.
Thank you for your love and continued support for our son Mitchell.
The Thorps
Helping Hand
May 21, 2006
NBA’s Mutombo joins fight
in Carlsbad teenager’s battle to overcome mysterious illness
By Gigi Alford
COMMUNITY SPORTS
WRITER
May 21, 2006 CARLSBAD–
Only a mother could understand what her son, unable to speak or
communicate his thoughts, was thinking at the time. As NBA star
Dikembe Mutombo leaned toward Mitchell Thorp, his mom knew her boy
was doing his best to focus his dizzy and spinning vision on
Mutombo’s size 22 shoes. “I knew he was looking at (Mutombo’s)
feet,” Beth Thorp said. “I had to say that to get a rise out of
him.”
During Mutombo’s
visit with Mitchell at the Thorps’ home last weekend, the 7-foot-2
center for the Houston Rockets told Beth he was surprised to see a
smile on the face of a mother who has confronted so much adversity.
“You know where
that strength comes from,” Beth Thorp said. Mutombo nodded. “I know
your family has very strong beliefs,” he said.
The Thorp family
then presented Mutombo a Mitchell Thorp Foundation cap and visor
with Mitchell’s favorite Bible verse inscribed under the bill –
“Joshua 1.9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will
be with you wherever you go. Nodding his head, Mutombo said in his
resonant voice, “Powerful.”
In April 2005,
before Mitchell lost his ability to speak, his parents gave him a
new puppy, which he named Joshua after the Bible verse.
For two years,
Mitchell, 15, has suffered from a mysterious ailment. An active
baseball player from age 5, Mitchell began getting headaches that
worsened to the point where doctors kept him sedated to avoid the
pain. Three times the Thorps admitted their son to the hospital for
tests, but there were no answers. Doctors were baffled and Mitchell
wasn’t getting better.
Late last summer,
the Thorps asked Dr. Jim Murphy, an osteopath, to treat Mitchell at
home. Finally, the family received some answers and felt some hope.
According to The Mitchell Thorp Foundation Web site, Murphy
diagnosed “heavy metal toxicity coupled with a viral infection,
which affects the central nervous system.” Once nutritionist Kim
Schuette set about changing Mitchell’s diet and surroundings to
organic foods and materials, the family saw quick improvement in
Mitchell’s condition.
After caretakers
complete their efforts to rid Mitchell of the metals his body has
been unable to process, his family hopes he will make a complete
recovery. But no one can say how long that might take.
Although the pain
has subsided and Mitchell was finally able to open his eyes a few
weeks ago, he’s not yet able to walk or talk. Schuette said he is
aware of what is going on around him.
Mutombo learned
about Mitchell’s plight while visiting Pomerado Hospital last week.
The native of the Democratic Republic of the has partnered with
Palomar Pomerado Health to build a $30 million hospital in the
Congo’s capital city Kinshasa.
Named one of the
most generous athletes in a Foxsports.com article earlier this year,
Mutombo lived up to his reputation, donating $5,000 to the Mitchell
Thorp Foundation. “It’s a blessing people can help us,” Beth said.
“We’re able to stay where we are and focus on the healing rather
than the stress of the finances. Otherwise we’d be selling the
house.” Part of the mission of the foundation is to develop a Web
site for families going through similar ordeals. “We were so
mystified,” said Beth Thorp, who quit her job to be a full-time
caretaker for Mitchell. “We had to do so much research on our own.
The goal through the Web site is to help other families cut to the
chase.”
Beth said Mutombo,
who turned 40 on Wednesday, brought joy to her ailing son and his
younger brother, Matthew. Mutombo signed a basketball and dunked
another basketball into a net on the family’s backyard court.
One friend who
shared the moment with the Thorps told Mitchell’s father, Brad, who
played minor league baseball in the Dodgers organization, that
Mitchell may decide to play basketball instead of baseball once he’s
recovered.
Gigi Alford:
(619) 293-1829;
gigi.alford@uniontrib.com
An Update On
Mitchell
October 14, 2006
It
has been awhile since we updated you all on Mitchell’s progress.
For this we apologize, our life is so consumed in getting him well
that everything else comes second. Mitchell is making steady
progress coming out of his illness. Even though it seems so slow to
us while those that see him say how much better he looks from when
they saw him at the walk-a-thon, so for that we are grateful.
He
is gaining weight as he currently weighs 118 lbs. and is still
growing, as he is almost six feet tall. Mitchell is still unable to
speak or open his eyes full time due to the dizziness and some
nystagmus and he is still not able to walk yet. But we believe that
once his head clears and the dizziness stops his legs and his
ability to stand will come back.
Mitchell is currently undergoing some IV therapies that seem to be
helping. Dr. Murphy, Mitchell’s osteopath is still working closely
with him as he helps his body unravel the layers that have been
attacked. Mitchell’s team still consists of his nutritionist who
helps us with Mitchell’s formula, and wonderful friends who come
into our home and juice for us and make the formula. An
acupuncturist/energy healer who helps Mitchell’s body unblock areas
of blocked energy, a physical therapist who is helping Mitchell to
regain his balance, posture and range of motion, a home school
teacher that comes an hour a day to read to him, play books on
tapes, video’s etc. and we still take him in for some hyperbaric
oxygen therapy.
What has amazed us through this journey is how little our medical
community understands mysterious illnesses and how to treat them, as
we have communicated with other families throughout the Southwest
with teenagers dealing with similar issues as Mitchell’s. We have
had to seek alternatives by choice to bring healing to Mitchell’s
body.
It
is through Gods grace that has kept us all going. And it will be
God’s timing when he is truly healed.
Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers for Mitchell
and our family.
Brad & Beth Thorp
Update On
Mitchell
December 05, 2006
Wow! It is hard to believe December is here again. Mitchell’s
progress is still slow and steady. We had a series of blood panels
taken last Monday along with some other tests and we are awaiting
those results. Hopefully these testes will reveal to us what might
be going on with Mitchell’s body and give us hope and direction.
Mitchell had been receiving Glutothione injections to protect the
myelin sheath of the nerves and this seems to help. We stopped now
for few weeks to give him a break and look to start up again this
week. Mitchell always hated needles much like his dad he would turn
white as a ghost. He has been responding well to the hyperbaric
oxygen treatments so we are still trying to get in at least 2 per
week, as it seems to help his head.
We
are still looking and researching for Mitchell in hopes that one day
another key to this puzzle will fit. As of today our concerns still
hold for Mitchell that he still suffers from some paralysis, he lost
his ability to speak, and his vision is still disturbed from the
dizziness, muscle weakness and atrophy, ataxia, and still some
pressure in his head. Our support team in Mitchell’s healing has
been so great and helpful.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts mainly for
Mitchell to not give up and feeling discouraged. We bless you all
this Holiday season with the best gift of love and health.
Love, The Thorp Family
Mitchell
Update
March 02, 2007
Mitchell’s progress is still stable; he is improving slowly and is
gaining more weight.
Brad
and I have been working toward getting Mitchell a better seating
system for him since he is still unable to walk the physical
therapist has strongly recommend a chair that will better support
his spine and help him from shifting his hips that can cause spinal
problems down the road. We are also increasing Mitchell’s physical
therapy to three days a week verses one day a week.
Our
goal this year is to help Mitchell regain some balance in his trunk
and help him to sit up without any assistance. Another goal is to
get Mitchell out into his environment so we’ve been taking him out
for walks along the ocean and along our lagoon. He seems to be
enjoying these outings. The physical therapist is also recommending
a standing frame for him so we are pursuing this investment as
well. Mitchell is still unable to speak and no one can tell us why
this happened or if he will speak again. We also took Mitchell to
see an infectious disease doctor who we sought to get a second
opinion on after another research doctor discovered through a live
blood analysis mycroplasma fermenton, toxoplasma gondii and
strongoloids. He also wanted to run a couple more tests we should
be getting those results next week.
For
now Brad and I are tired and we are weary and you would think my
tears would dry up since I have wept so much. But as I reached for
my bible this morning for strength and guidance my eyes were fixed
on this verse:
2
Corinthians 4 vs. 16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day
by day achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them
all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal.”
Mitchell
Update
September 01, 2007
Mitchell is the strongest, bravest boy we have ever met, his spirit
to live and fight the unknown is amazing to us everyday. There are
days however, we see in his body and the look of grief in his face
and eyes that he wants to give up. But we won’t let him Brad and I
are his biggest cheerleaders!! Every second of our days are very
consumed in caring for him. Mitchell’s condition is still very
serious he cannot walk, talk, and has difficulty trying to open his
eyes. However, we know he is still in there as he understands us
when we speak, he gets frustrated and hits his chair or the pillows
so for that we are so grateful for the fight that he stills has in
him. Through the help of our insurance we are going to look into
home health care for him 1 or 2 days a week so we can take a
breather.
We
have made some progress but not like we where hoping for. We have
purchased a standing frame for him for the house to get him up in a
totally 90 degree standing position. He can only tolerate about
15-20 minutes before he gives out as it does put pressure on his
head. He also cannot hold his head up so we are trying desperately
to get the muscles in his back, neck and torso to strengthen so he
can support himself better.
We
just recently returned from Salt Lake City, Utah seeing a Doctor who
specializes in brain mapping. It is basically a functional EEG to
see how the brain is functioning and what parts are affected. The
therapy they have recommended for Mitchell is the LENS therapy,
which stands for Low Energy Neurofeedback System. How does the LENS
work? They believe that the LENS appears to positively impact slow
brainwave activity. They also believe that it works to break up
the rigid, self-protective way the brain has of responding after
physical or psychological stress or trauma. There is evidence that
during any kind of trauma (physical, infectious, toxic, or
emotional) the brain protects itself from seizures and overloads by
releasing neurochemicals that protect it from these dangers.
Unfortunately, this protective response also reduces the brain’s
overall functional capacity. Long after the trauma is over and the
danger is past, the “protection” may still remain. The person
therefore, becomes stuck in various kinds of disabilities due to
this reduced neurological flexibility. The LENS appears to have an
effect in helping to restore the brains natural flexibility. So
we are still very hopeful for Mitchell. Dr. Ochs who developed the
LENS heard of Mitchell’s case and is going to see and treat him
while he is in San Diego for a conference. He is willing to take
Mitchell under his wing as a case study.
The
hard thing about all this and for many who are trying to treat
Mitchell is that he is still undiagnosed so there are no real
guarantees of success. So Brad and I are again faced with praying
about this therapy and hoping there will be some kind of improvement
or break through. for Mitchell. Please pray for us as Mitchell
starts his treatments on September 3, 4, and 5th.
God
Bless and Thank You for all your prayers and support!!
The
Thorp Family
Latest
Update
January 31, 2008
Happy New Year! Since our last update Mitchell is still stable but
is not showing much improvement in his ability to move, speak, or
walk. We our using the LENS system that we spoke about in our last
update and although we do see some change not enough to report on at
this time. Another situation presented itself in December our
nutrionist Kim Shutte was sharing Mitchell’s story to a Doctor in
Los Angeles. He gave her a DVD to share with us stating that we
should take Mitchell to see this expert Doctor in Washington, DC who
specializes in TMD disorders and is on the board of the American
Academy of Craniofacial Pain. From hearing about Mitchell’s symptoms
this could still be a problem as to why he is not coming out of
this. The symptoms after watching the DVD of other patient’s
movement disorders seemed to be similar and very severe like
Mitchell’s.
We
were able to take Mitchell the week of January 14th to
see Dr. Stack, who was recovering from his own illness and came in
just to see Mitchell. We are treating Mitchell for a TM joint
problem as his most current MRI shows that both of his disc’s are
displaced in an open and closed position along with a lateral
displacement of the disc in the left TM joint. The treatment process
requires the use of a mouth piece that will realign the disc within
the TM joint. He currently has a lower appliance in his mouth which
at the time has been causing a lot of discomfort and pain as the TM
joint area begins to shift. We have to go back the week of February
18th to get an upper appliance that we hope and pray will
provide the additional relief and show us the signs of things
turning back on. Please be in prayer for us as Mitchell begins to
realign his body to where it needs to be and that the next trip will
provide the results that all of us have been waiting for. Dr. Stack
feels confident that he will be able to help Mitchell. We will have
to make at least one trip per month back to the Washington, DC area
to get the follow up treatment that will be needed.
The
Thorp Family
Latest
Update
June 08, 2008
It
has been a long last 4 months for Mitchell as he got sick with the
flu the beginning of February and it was very difficult for him to
get rid of the virus. Over the next couple of months he struggled to
keep any food in his system. After 3 emergency room visits and still
no answers on how come he can’t keep his food down he was given a
Gastroparesis diagnosis were the stomach shuts down in the
processing of food. We now had to take his G-tube and make it a
J-Tube with feeds directly into his small intestine on April 28th
this procedure was completed.
On
May 3rd Mitchell suffered his first seizure and was
admitted to the hospital. He had lost over 30 lbs., now down to 84
lbs and not thriving for life at this point. As the medical staff
began controlling his seizure activity he slowly began to come
around and then started suffering from sleep apnea up to several
minutes at a time he would not breath, which thru the medical staff
into overdrive and into the ICU area for 2 weeks. Mitchell’s central
nervous system was starting to affect more and more areas of his
body. As he began to put some weight back on he started turning the
corner again and began his fight to get home. While we were in the
hospital for 4 weeks the doctors were still trying to figure out
what was going on with Mitchell. As they ran many of the same tests
from the UCLA hospital stay all of the tests kept coming back normal
or negative. All the more frustrating for Mitchell and the unknown
would continue this journey.
On
May 30th Mitchell was discharged from the hospital to
come home. He has put back on around 10 lbs. so far and continues to
fight. He is sleeping throughout the nights and anxious and
frustrated throughout the day. We are continuing to pursue the TMJ
problem as we believe that his jaws do have a displacement and they
need to be corrected.
God
Bless and Thank You for all Your Support and Prayers!
The
Thorp Family
Final
Journey
November 19, 2008
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with
you wherever you go.”
In the early hours of November
19, 2008 Mitchell Thorp’s strength and courage lead him in a new
direction, on a new journey with our Lord . . . one without pain,
burden, or uncertainty. He fought for almost 5 years to the very end
and left this world on his and the Lord's terms. He is survived by
his mother and father, Beth and Brad, and his brother, Matthew,
along with his two grandmothers, Carole Thorp and Elizabeth Bobek,
many aunts and uncles and cousins, and an incredibly supportive
community, all who loved him dearly. Mitchell will be honored and
celebrated at North Coast Calvary Church on Thursday, December 4th
from 4 to 6pm at 1330 Poinsettia Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011,
760-929-0029. A private family burial will take place on Friday.
Contributions may be made to the Mitchell Thorp Fund at US Bank,
1074 North El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024. Flowers are welcome.
Please join us for a reception immediately following the service.
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