Rob McElhenney has revealed that he has been diagnosed with "a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities" at the age of 46. The American actor, who is best known for his roles in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mythic Quest, shared the news on Twitter last night (July 11).
Wrexham AFC co-owner McElhenney wanted to let others diagnosed with such disorders and disabilities that they are "not alone" as he shared that he will be revealing more about his diagnoses in due course. Posting to social media last night, the dad-of-two wrote: "I was recently diagnosed with a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities!
"At 46! I go through the full diagnosis/prognosis on the @thesunnypodcast (which drops in 2 weeks),"
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McElhenney added: "It's not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. You're not stupid.
"You're not 'bad'. It might feel that way sometimes. But it's not true :)"
McElhenney has since been praised for being open about his diagnoses, with many of his fans coming forward to express that they could relate. Along with fellow actor and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, McElhenney has worked to raise awareness of health issues, with the pair having "potentially life-saving" colonoscopies last year as part of a bet.
The stars shared details of their procedures and diagnoses after teaming up with non-profit organisation Lead From Behind, which aims to promote awareness of colorectal cancer. Speaking about their co-ownership of Wrexham AFC in a video for Lead From Behind and the competiton at the core of all sports, McElhenney said: "We're so competitive in fact, that last year, Ryan and I made a bet,"
"Ryan bet that I would not learn how to speak Welsh," McElhenney said, in Welsh. "He was so sure, he said he'd publicly broadcast his colonoscopy if I could do it."
As a result, Ryan then had his first ever colonoscopy filmed. Medical professionals discovered a polyp in his bowels, which they cut off with a snare before it could develop into cancer, as they expressed the importance of going for such procedures.
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