This Young Man Is One Of Two People In The World Coping With A Rare, Nameless Disease | NBC News

UPDATE Oct 2, 2019: Mitchell Herndon passed away on October 2, 2019. He was was taken off life support according to his final wishes after doctors discovered the disease had infiltrated his brain. He was surrounded by his family, and left in peace according to his mother Michele Herndon.

Mitchell Herndon has a disease so rare that there is no name for it. As one of only two known patients in the world, he grapples with a reality that sees him as a case study for doctors who are only beginning to learn about his condition.

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This Young Man Is One Of Two People In The World Coping With A Rare, Nameless Disease | NBC News

[sabastiantaylor]

It’s no longer a nameless disease. In 2020 they named the syndrome “Mitchell Disease”. He donated his body to science to help them understand his disease more. RIP Mitchell. My heart and prayers go out to the loved ones you left behind.

[_samaa]

They need to try to reach out to the girl in Korea. She's probably feeling lonely too.

[ocn_palm]

It’s really sad hearing him talk about how one day he wanted to be a father and knowing at the same time the he passed away 6 months later R.I.P.

[ohmanyourecool]

Fortunately through the research conducted by the team at Baylor, and the generosity of Mitchell and his parents’ DNA, Mitchell Disease caused by abnormalities in ACOX1 protein via amino acid substitution of N237S was observed treatable with the drug bezafibrate. Bezafibrate was proven to suppress these deficiencies in fruit flies that lacked ACOX1 (mimicking Mitchell Disease) and had a significant improvement in lifespan, vision, motor coordination, and neuronal function (Rodriguez, 2020).

[tqvsfcu]

I hope he and the other girl can meet. Being the only two people with this has to feel lonely.

[uzuvert]

Never really notice how lucky I am to be able to walk, run, jump, grip, all without effort or rehab. He’s a true inspiration. Wow.

[james.mcdonaldtv]

Rest In Peace, Mitchell. He seemed like such a kind soul. He’s at peace now, prayers to his family. Seeing a story like Mitchell’s makes me inspired to be grateful for life.

[Just_Joe]

This is a moment of realisation when most of us dealing with useless crap everyday find ourselves burnt and stressed out, and this young man on the edge of progressive dying stayed positive and still had aspirations. It's a paradox how most of the people who suffer from diseases have much more optimism and energy to live than anyone else who's healthy and consistent in life. Rest in peace, warrior :(

[foxman]

"This Young Man is One Of Two People In The World Who Are Mr. Beast"

[kandiasoverton]

Rest in peace Mitchell. He lost his fight on October 2, 2019.

[karenguan]

The fact that he can still smile is just wouldn't even be able to maintain my sanity

[rossc]

To be able to live life to the fullest and be happy even with such a rare and life-changing condition is quite special. I hope that someday answers will be found. May he Rest In Peace.

[rydemk]

Kudos to this guy for not being super negative and even smiling and making jokes.

[brett]

It's scary being diagnosed with a disease even if it's curable. It's even scarier to be diagnosed with something that doesn't even have a name and therefore no general plan of treatment.

[gregsmith]

So unbelievably sad. Makes my problems seem petty. My sorrows go out to his family and friends.

[merily]

My daughter has a very rare genetic mutation as well same story but her symptoms started at birth. There was only 2 know cases which ended in death when she was diagnosed. She has a very rare form of genetic epilepsy called SCN8A. They had no idea how to treat it still don't now we have around 190 kids around the world. Her case was really severe doctors said that they didn't think she would last past 6 years old. She had 8th birthday 2 week ago!

[idk-mxkw]

How unfornate and sad hearing he already died, he even donated his body to professionals to examine his disease. Such a good and selfless person, may god bless you.

[adammougharbel]

The way he talked about loving a girl, getting married and having kids made me tear knowing he couldn’t live and get any of those bcs he passed away...

[ShadowSorcerer]

For people being like "I'm not gonna complain about anything ever again"

No don't do that. Yes what he went through sucked and he was able to be happy about things but don't put your problems aside cause others have it worse cause really everybody is going through stuff. Your problems are valid and you are valid for what you feel so speak out when something is wrong. Complain when you want to cause its not good to bottle stuff up.
Don't compare your problems to others cause we all deal with stuff.

[ashn]

So sad to have an extremely rare disease that turns out to be fatal. R.I.P Mitchell, you will no longer have to suffer. 🙏🏾