It’s been a great year for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their loyal fans are eagerly awaiting their first World Series play in 29 years on October 24th. One loyal Dodgers fan is grateful for the team’s excitement for helping him cope with his rare disease.
According to NBC, 18-year-old Steven Olguin from Riverside county suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome. This rare genetic disorder leads to a wide array of physical, mental and behavioral problems that are sourced from a chronic hunger that can never be satisfied, no matter how much food is consumed.
What causes this unusual chronic hunger is an error in the genetic makeup located in a region of chromosome 15. All of this tampers with the part of the brain that releases hormones.
To get his mind off of his PWS, Steven loses himself to sports. He says he “bleeds blue,” and has been a fan his entire life. When his favorite team beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 which lead to their advancement to the World Series, Steven and his family were thrilled, unleashing thunderous applause.
“I’m happy,” said Steven, amid his cheering. “Yes, World Series!”
His parents are overjoyed to see their son express so much passion for the team. His Prader-Willi syndrome has lead to obesity which hasn’t been easy for him. Among the treatments for PWS are human growth treatment to increase growth and improve muscle tone, behavioral and physical therapy, weight management and more.
To learn more about this rare disease, click here.
“My son, Steven, is the No. 1 fan of the Dodgers,” his father Luis Olguin said to NBC. “To see him like that makes us all very happy.”
The Dodgers haven’t returned to the World Series since back in 1988 and can face either the New York Yankees or the Houston Astros. Steven won’t miss a single minute of it.
