Robert Horry Loses Teenage Daughter To Rare Disease

by Tom Martin on Jun 14, 2011 9:22 PM CDT in News

Take a moment, everyone, and say a prayer for the Horry family.

Ashlyn Horry, the 17-year-old daughter of former NBA player Robert Horry, died today from "severe respiratory issues and a host of other complications requiring a six month stay in Texas Childrens Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," according to a report posted on Black Sports Online.

Ashlyn underwent numerous tests and multiple surgeries, according to the report, and nearly died on several other occasions. She was diagnosed with a chromosome abnormality so rare it did not even have name.

For the former Houston Rocket and his family, this must be a terrible situation -- the worst. A story like this goes beyond my boundaries of thought and analysis. It stands alone as an incredibly unfortunate tragedy.

That said, I will make a brief point: upon publishing this post, I cannot tell you how odd it will be to scroll down the blog's front page and take notice of comments on topics such as mock drafts and whether or not the world should hate LeBron James. To see those comments, and then to scroll up to read this post... it should remind everyone of what and who ultimately matters most.

Update: Have a look at this piece about Ashlyn from former LA Times writer Tim Brown. On Twitter, Brown referred to Ashlyn as "the sweetest little girl I ever knew."

Update 2: If you'd like to donate to the Ashlyn Horry Foundation, click here.

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Comments

I think out of pure respect this article needs to be at the top of the page.

I was going to publish something but with this news breaking I’m going to hold off. This is too important and we should reflect and focus on this news and loss.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Jun 14, 2011 1:26 PM CDT reply actions

Go ahead and do it, we can edit the date and time of this

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on Jun 14, 2011 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Still taking a step back on it.

It’ll give me more of a chance to actually tune it up and maybe even change the scope of the write up. Plus, this is tragic news that should maintain attention.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Jun 14, 2011 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Some things are hard to comprehend

How such a thing can happen to anyone, and how the family can cope is beyond my imagination. Loosing a child is heartbreaking enough, but to go through six months of seeing your child in ICU…
I can admit to getting numb from all the stuff that we get bombarded with every day, but this is hard even from a distance. I for one, will ask for strength for Robert this Sunday. Father’s day is not going to be an easy day to get through.

by makinmajik on Jun 14, 2011 1:43 PM CDT reply actions

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family

by erod on Jun 14, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

funny how easy it is to loose sight

Of what’s truly important and what realy matters in this world when discussing sports.
God bless and keep the horry family and may the soul of his daughter rest at ease in the comfort of a home to wich we all return

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion"- Rudy T, all up in that azz

by ShookednShanghaied11 on Jun 14, 2011 2:30 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

This is truely sad day for him and his family.

I have met him a couple of times and has always been a good guy, just sad to see stuff like this happen to good guys.

by southpaw70 on Jun 14, 2011 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

My heart breaks to hear this tragic news

As a mother and a grandmother, my heart goes out to Robert Horry and his family. God Bless and keep them through this trying, difficult time. It is not ours to understand why these things happen, the loss of a child is just such an unnatural thing. I lost a brother, and my father never was the same afterwards. I pray that God touches this family in their time of need, and helps them get through to the other side. Robert Horry has always been, and always will be a champion in my book. I am more than sure that his daughter thought the same. Sending love and prayers.

by Webpossum on Jun 14, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

It's really heartbreaking to see this

Losing a son or daughter has to be the hardest thing in the world. I had a friend who lost his son a few weeks ago (the son was just 2 years old), and he’s told me that there is literally nothing he can do to shake that feeling. I know you’re not reading this, Robert Horry, but I seriously wish you all the condolences I have to offer.

by Patrick Harrel on Jun 14, 2011 3:51 PM CDT reply actions

Horrible news...

To think he was just happily discussing draft day on that rockets.com interview a few weeks back… Really heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Robert.

by dxtehsecks on Jun 14, 2011 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

That is very sad.

My thoughts go out to the dude.
Even the people in this world who we admire for being big winners can still lose a lot, if not everything. Serves as a reminder to those of us who have misconceptions of famous athletes or celebrities having easy lives, this has got to be the hardest thing this man has ever had to endure.

by Nobody is Better Than Jordan on Jun 14, 2011 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1p36_deletion_syndrome

by willieboyd on Jun 14, 2011 4:54 PM CDT reply actions

Dave and I are unabashed Horry fans

It’s tough seeing this for anyone, especially for a guy we idolized on the court. Prayers out to Robert and his family.

Just to show how much I love Robert Horry, I was offered $500 for a replica jersey with his signature, something really worth maybe 150 bucks, if that, and told the guy he could offer me 1000 and I’d say no. That day that Horry signed the jersey for me he talked with me for 20 minutes. No way I’d trade that memory for money.

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on Jun 14, 2011 9:21 PM CDT reply actions

Truthfully, after a six-month ICU stay with a chronic disease (which I've seen numerous times) death is often a blessing.

This was probably just the culmination of 17 bittersweet years for the Horry family.

RIP Ashlyn.

http://raisingadisabledchild.blogspot.com/2005/07/brief-primer-on-1p36-deletion-syndrome.html

by willieboyd on Jun 14, 2011 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

As a guy

who’s 16 year old brother was just diagnosed yesterday with Leukemia, this news is especially saddening. Prayers to the Horry family.

- Jamon

Creator of Projectile project management/invoicing/time tracking system.

by jamon51 on Jun 14, 2011 10:58 PM CDT reply actions

Sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you.

by willieboyd on Jun 14, 2011 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry to hear that Jamon

Prayers to you and your family.

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on Jun 15, 2011 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Ric Bucher also posted a link to a story from 02 I think

http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol5no12horry.html

Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

by twinkilling0303 on Jun 14, 2011 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

His mother, who had been the one to tell him Ashlyn had been born, was on the line again. This time the message was different: His daughter was having problems.

What kind of problems, he asked, already feeling a chill creeping up his arms toward his chest.

He didn’t get an answer because there wasn’t one to give. Not yet. He’d find out over the next six months while making 40-mile drives to the hospital after practice, wondering if she’d make it, waiting to hear Ashlyn’s first words. Words, eight years later, he’s still waiting to hear.

by willieboyd on Jun 14, 2011 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions