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.
