Allen Iverson Opens Up About Daughter’s Mystery Illness

by Dal on Feb.21, 2010, under Uncategorized

Last weekend Allen Iverson was scheduled to start in his 11th NBA All Star game, but the Philadelphia 76er was notably absent from the festivities. Instead, Allen was at home in Atlanta, tending to his seriously ill daughter Messiah, 4.

“I have five kids,” Allen, 34, pointed out after practice in Philadelphia on Monday. “None of them have ever been this sick. It’s a first-time thing for me.”

Adding to his anxiety is the fact that doctors aren’t totally sure about what ails Messiah. She has been in and out of a hospital in Atlanta and will now travel to Philadelphia to undergo treatment at Children’s Hospital.

“If they find out its pneumonia, which they hope it’s not, they’re going to have to admit her again,” Allen reveals. “All I do is just pray on it … ’cause that’s all that can be done right now, ’cause they don’t know exactly what’s wrong with her.”

“I like to look at myself as a strong person, especially dealing with everything in my life. But this is a totally different situation; you find out you’re not as tough as you thought you were when it’s one of your kids.”

Doctors have assured Allen that they’ll “get to the bottom of” Messiah’s symptoms, assurances that have given the point guard peace of mind — to a point. “You look at them eye to eye and you can tell they truly believe that,” he says. “You kind of feel comfortable about it.”

Enough so that Allen has agreed to rejoin his team, after missing five games to be with Messiah. Noting that he has “a commitment and an obligation to be with” the 76ers, Allen says he’s hoping his return to the court will help him stay focused at home.

“I think this is the only thing I do in life where it’s for a couple hours during a game [that] I don’t think about [anything] but that,” he muses. “I think, in some type of way, that will help me deal with my [family] situation a little better.” He adds,

“The strongest man in the world … I don’t think they could deal with it if something happened to one of their kids. I just love my kids.”
In addition to Messiah, Allen and wife Tawanna are parents to Tiaura, 14, Allen II, 11, Isaiah, 6, and Dream, 16 months.

Source: Philly.com

:Daughter, Illness, sick

10 Comments for this entry

Daryl
February 22nd, 2010 on 8:26 pm
I hope that they really think about this before they release Allen, they can’t fault him for being a good father and husband. This will be a stab in the back from the team.

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SHEMIKA JONES
February 24th, 2010 on 6:50 pm
MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALLEN AND HIS WIFE. I BEEN WHERE THEY ARE AT I WAS TOLD MY SON WOULD NOT SEE 5 AND HAPPY TO SAY HE IS TURNING 6 REALLY SOON. I LOVE ALLEN AND THE FACT THAT HE IS PUTTING HIS PRIORTIES FIRST MAKES ME LOVE HIM EVEN MORE. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH ARE KEEPING HIM AND HIS WIFE AND THE IVERSON FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS EVERYDAY. MAY SHE HAVE A SPEEDY RECOVERY…..ALLENS NUMBER1 FAN….

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Travis
February 26th, 2010 on 9:49 pm
A.I. you are a strong individual. Take care of your family life. No one should fault you and if they do, you shouldn’t care because you are a stronger man.
Best Wishes.
Travis.

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Michelle
March 4th, 2010 on 1:02 pm
I will pray for AI and his family. Allen is right one of the hardest things in life is to deal with issues concerning our children. GOD BLESS!

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Wade
March 7th, 2010 on 8:23 pm
A.I.
I just to you and you’re family to keep you eyes lifted toward the sky,God knows what you’re going through. He is the doctor and continue to stand and wait on him to work. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong and contiue to keep the faith.

Love coming from Texas

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Wade
March 7th, 2010 on 8:31 pm
A.I.
I just want you and you’re family to keep you eyes lifted toward the sky,God knows what you’re going through. He is the doctor and continue to stand and wait on him to work. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong and contiue to keep the faith.

Love coming from Texas

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Wade
March 7th, 2010 on 8:32 pm
A.I.
I just want you and you’re family to keep your eyes lifted toward the sky,God knows what you’re going through. He is the doctor and continue to stand and wait on him to work. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong and contiue to keep the faith.

Love coming from Texas

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Shamba Elijah
December 9th, 2010 on 6:00 pm
I had’t been paying attention to the NBA for a few years now. I just decided to wath the 76ers vs Celtics, discovering Allen missing from the lineup.Checking the internet to find out why.My Church family will lift Allen Iverson &Messiah up in prayer indefinitely. God’s speed!
aka king Shamba

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Shamba Elijah
December 9th, 2010 on 6:03 pm
My chuirch family & I will lift you && Messiah in prayer.Godspeed!
aka king Shamba

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Shamba Elijah
June 22nd, 2012 on 4:01 am
From Rev. Shamba,thank you for acknowledging my reply!It’s been along time since I last spoke to you by email, How”s Messiah doing ? I’m still praying for the best out come for you Al.I hope to see you playing ball again someday soon.To tell you the truth , I don’t watch sports as much I use to. Anyway, you take care of yourself Al! Happy belated Birthday man!(June 7,1975) My birthday is coming up June 25th, I’ll be 47 years old. Godspeed Black man I’m out! Shamba Elijah P.S. shout back if you Can!

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