Garrard has been diagnosed with the intestinal ailment thought to be caused by a persistent infection. I don't know exactly how debilitating it is but apparently it can be very painful. I wonder whether he'll be able to compete professionally. Anyone know of a pro athlete who has managed it?

I think there used to be a player on the Flyer's that had Crohn's disease, I beleive it was Kevin Dineen, and he had a long successful hockey career. It's a disease where with proper diet and taking care of yourself, the effects can be lessened, but without proper care it can be and extremely painful and debilitating disease.

Thanks UTampaSpar10. I checked Dineen out on the web and it's a very inspiring and instructive story. He apparently realizes that he's fortunate that he has a mild form of the disease or greater resistance to it.

Another problem may be the use of steroids to treat the ailment. I'm sure drug specialists are aware of the differences between illegal substances and legitamtely prescribed ones. It will be interesting to see how Garrard performs.