Jeffery Yaws Benefit

There have been many times in my life that someone has touched me and left an impression that will never go away. Maybe it was their kindness or acts of friendship towards someone I know. Maybe it was just the love that they projected when they came into the room. Maybe it was just that they forgot to remember how bad things were for them and wanted to cheer others up in their own way.

This is a true story about a 4'2", 19-year-old man that has overcome a terminal problem to be with the friends that he has made at PCW in his hometown of Arlington, Texas.

Jeffery Yaws was stricken with this dreaded disease which affects the entire body. Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II, called Hunter syndrome, is an inherited disorder in which an enzyme, iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S), is deficient. I2S is involved in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates called mucopolysaccharides. Without enough I2S, partially broken-down mucopolysaccharides accumulate in the organs and tissues of the body and become toxic.

Jeffery has fought almost all of his 19 years to show his mom that he is a survivor. Like most teenagers in his area of the world, he enjoys the computer, music and going to the live matches in Arlington, Texas under the banner of PCW (Professional Championship Wrestling).

Jeffery has been a mainstay of the Saturday night battles. PCW has even set aside a special area for him and his 450-pound electric wheelchair and all the equipment that is needed for him to be there. He is greeted by superstars going to the ring for each match, and his smile is one that is appreciated by each and every member of the PCW company.

He has been the driving force behind many of the 250-400 pound athletes that wrestle there each and every Saturday night. If you were to see his room at home, it is a testimony that the guys and gals of PCW care about him and appreciate him, too. Multitudes of autographed pictures, championship belts, shirts, bandanas, masks and other memories from the matches adorn all four walls and even the ceiling.

Jeffery's 19-year life almost came to an end around Christmas last year when, for no reason, he went into a deep coma and sleep that the family and Hospice staff could not wake him from. A few days into the coma, it was decided to put him on continual watch, as they thought the time was near. He had a nurse at his side 24/7 and was being given medications to make him more comfortable.

The nurse had told his mom to get prepared for the end. She began to call various members of the family , and then she made a call to one of the wrestlers from PCW. Holding back tears, she told him that Jeffery would not be with this world long, and that, if they wanted to pay their respects to him while he was still alive, to come by.

That was around 3 p.m., and, by 5 p.m., EVERY member of PCW, whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, referee, ring announcer or one of the girls that carry back the ring jackets, began to arrive at Jeffery's home. One by one, they entered his room and quietly began their goodbyes. Huge athletes that had battled each other in the ring stood side by side, and tears streamed down their faces as they reached out and touched their little friend.

Some grabbed him gently by the fingers, and some grabbed him by the toes. Others rubbed the top of his head as they prayed together for a miracle. About halfway into the evening, Jeffery began to open his eyes and then started to smile at all the attention that he was getting.

Suddenly, as word spread that he was awake, there was a cheer in the outer rooms and outside the house, where a prayer vigil was going on. The critical care nurse that was beside Jeffery couldn't believe what was happening. A miracle had taken place in Arlington, Texas.

During the next two days, he was asked if there was anything he would like to do, and Jeffery told his mom that he wanted to go to the wrestling matches. His mom said to the nurse that was visiting that this is what he is going to do.

Action Jackson, one of the huge superstars that was in the room when Jeffery came out of the coma, found out that Jeffery was coming and contacted a good friend of his … Deion Sanders. Sanders was a NFL cornerback and also played Major League Baseball as an outfielder and was a commentator for CBS.

That Saturday night, by the time they got Jeffery to the arena, it was 15 minutes past 8 p.m. The matches usually started promptly at 8 but were held up in honor of their friend Jeffery. The entire locker room, in a joint show of love, emptied out into the parking area, and huge grapplers unloaded his chair that weighed about 450 pounds and all the things that Jeffery needed for the night.

They took him to the special area set aside for him, and the night began as usual with Jeffery at ringside being where he enjoyed life so much, at the PCW Wrestling matches. They dedicated the evening and their matches to their friend Jeffery to a standing ovation.

More to come…

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