“I’m dealing with it, I’m showing up, I ain’t taking off,” Thomas Isiah declared on NBA TV after revealing his diagnosis last December. The future Hall of Famer has always been vocal about health concerns. He candidly detailed his battle and vowed to remain fully engaged despite the hurdles. True to his word, when an old friend from Detroit needed him, Thomas was there.

“I’ve got Bell’s Palsy,” Thomas opened up about it on The Mark Jackson Podcast. Bell’s palsy is a condition that leads to temporary weakness in the muscles on one side of the face, resulting in a drooping appearance. It can affect individuals regardless of age and typically improves within a few weeks. However, during his recent appearance on NBA TV, his face appeared asymmetrical, with one eye almost closed. Have there been any improvements?

In mid‑May, Thomas turned out for the 15th Annual Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Celebrity Golf Classic at Detroit Golf Club, lending his star power to the fundraising effort. This time, the former NBA player had put on glasses that hid much of his face. While it’s hard to confirm whether his condition has improved, Thomas has appreciated the prayers and good wishes from fans, which are always with him.

Derrick Rose, the ex-Chicago Bulls player, also expressed his gratitude for Thomas’ presence at this meaningful event. “The legend, the best @detroitpistons of all-time… @isiahthomas is here!!!!” Rose wrote on the post. The event will raise funds for the tuition-free charter school as well as for its new facility. The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit recently received a major donation from Henry Ford Health, which will reportedly be used to build a high school campus. In another IG post, he deeply appreciated the healthcare system for the massive move to help people.

Rose and Thomas share a great friendship. The former ESPN employee has always valued Thomas’ advice and supported him. So, it was obvious for Thomas to be present. 

Throughout his recovery, Isiah Thomas has regularly updated fans on his progress. In one of the interviews earlier, he had also opened up about the rare condition that his daughter suffers from.

The Thomases’ attempts at raising awareness

Isiah Thomas’ daughter, Lauren, suffers from narcolepsy and cataplexy, two distinct conditions. The Detroit Pistons legend first opened up about her struggle in 2020. Narcolepsy, affecting nearly 3 million people in the United States, is a sleep disorder. She also suffers from Cataplexy, which causes sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotions. This is often misdiagnosed, as was the case with Lauren when she visited various doctors in 2019. 

However, after receiving the correct diagnosis, Lauren and her father have been actively raising awareness about the condition. Thomas spoke about it during his appearance on  NBA on TNT’s The Arena. “My daughter has narcolepsy with cataplexy, and that means she goes into perilous states sometimes where she loses her legs and also her balance. And, this is a community that, you know, over 3 million people in the United States have narcolepsy, and so many more are misdiagnosed, and sometimes they’re misdiagnosed with depression,” Thomas shared.

This gesture by the former NBA player will further encourage those affected to speak and share their own experiences. Lauren is also involved with Project Sleep’s World Narcolepsy Day Committee, advocating for those affected. Together with Project Sleep, the Thomases actively campaign to end misdiagnoses and stigma.