Ex-Magic GM John Gabriel battling Parkinson's disease

[Mr_Perfect]

I'm re-posting here from the Knicks board. I thought Magic fans might want to know their former GM John Gabriel is fighting Parkinson's disease:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... ire-others

I thought this was a nice and sad article about Director of Pro Scouting and Free Agency John Gabriel (former Magic GM). I always thought John was a good executive and I was very happy Walsh hired him. I'm sorry to heard about his illness but I'm happy the Knicks still have him employed and let him continue to do his job.

[Reverse_Angle]

I wish him and his patience.

[fendilim]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

[otownflava21]

I've met John Gabriel before he still lives in the area and he's a very nice guy. I hope the best for him.

[NEM]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

[Max Power]

I've known this for a while. It's certainly a sad story, I wish him well. Gabriel was certainly the best GM we've had in this organization. He crafted the 95 Finals squad as well as kept the team afloat after O'Neal left. He built the heart and hustle squad and came incredibly close to acquiring a big 3 of TMac, Grant Hill, and Tim Duncan. Duncan and Hill didn't work out as planned but Tracy blossomed into a beast.


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[Nemesis21]

Damn. Sad to hear. Best wishes John!

[Blue_and_Whte]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

I lost my mom last year to ALS and its truly a heartbreaking thing to watch. She only lasted 6 months following her diagnosis which was somewhat of a blessing. Praying for Gabe and his family.

[fendilim]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

I lost my mom last year to ALS and its truly a heartbreaking thing to watch. She only lasted 6 months following her diagnosis which was somewhat of a blessing. Praying for Gabe and his family.

Sorry to hear about this.

I think Gabe is still working for NYK as Pro Scout, based on a quick Google search.

[RickB-Orlando]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

I lost my mom last year to ALS and its truly a heartbreaking thing to watch. She only lasted 6 months following her diagnosis which was somewhat of a blessing. Praying for Gabe and his family.

ALS is not Parkinson's. Lung function isn't one of the things generally effected.

Similar effect though, in that you lose the ability to walk, move, perform day to day tasks, basically care for yourself. Eventually speech. I point out the difference as my Grandfather suffered from Parkinson's and he lived, suffering from it progressively, over at least fifteen years. It's a slow and painful process.

As for John, my prayers are with him. I always thought he was the best GM this team ever had.

[MagicFan4Lyfe]

I miss John Gabriel. He drafted poorly but his vision on how to rebuild the Magic after the Shaq/Penny years should be commended. His mastery of the salary cap was one of the best in Magic history.

[axl_c_cool]

Get well John and keep fighting Sir!!

[ChosenSavior]

Get well John and keep fighting Sir!!

[NEM]

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

I lost my mom last year to ALS and its truly a heartbreaking thing to watch. She only lasted 6 months following her diagnosis which was somewhat of a blessing. Praying for Gabe and his family.

ALS is not Parkinson's. Lung function isn't one of the things generally effected.

Similar effect though, in that you lose the ability to walk, move, perform day to day tasks, basically care for yourself. Eventually speech. I point out the difference as my Grandfather suffered from Parkinson's and he lived, suffering from it progressively, over at least fifteen years. It's a slow and painful process.

As for John, my prayers are with him. I always thought he was the best GM this team ever had.

Lung function is most certainly affected by both diseases. End stage ALS patients almost always end up on a ventilator with a tracheostomy tube because they cannot breathe on their own due to loss of function of the diaphragm.

They are not the same disease. They are both horrible in their own way though. Also, with both diseases, it depends on the progression of the disease. Some people last 15+ years with Parkinson's, while others last less than 5 years. Depends on when you're diagnosed and the progression. Same with ALS.

[NEM]

Sad to see him battling parkinson. Hope everything turns out well for him

Sorry for the bump. Seeing how the magic will likely be hiring a new GM and seemingly someone that has history within the organization, I was wondering how Gabe was doing, so I googled his name and found this thread.

I always liked gabe and I thought he was great while he was here. Anyways, couldn't find anything recent on him but I just wanted to comment on this post. Unfortunately nothing can turn out "well" at this point. Parkinson's, much like Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) is a disease that you literally watch yourself die, for lack of a better term. There is no cure. You can treat it somewhat, but the end result is always the same. Having had my grandfather struggle with this, I can feel his family's pain. The worst part is that your organs can be in optimal condition (as was the case with my grandfather except his kidney's), but your muscles start to give out and eventually it affects your respiratory system to the point where you basically suffocate. Just a horrible disease. Notable people with this disease are Muhammad Ali, Michael J Fox, Brian Grant (Blazers/Heat/Lakers), and John Gabriel.

I lost my mom last year to ALS and its truly a heartbreaking thing to watch. She only lasted 6 months following her diagnosis which was somewhat of a blessing. Praying for Gabe and his family.

Sorry about your mom man. As you said, that is sort of a blessing. Doesn't make it any easier though...