Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is at present battling a “rare” sickness, her daughter, McKenna Kelley, revealed in early October. The embellished retired athlete has been within the ICU “for over a week,” and her former Dancing With the Stars accomplice, Sasha Farber, gave followers an replace. On October 14, her daughters gave a further, extra encouraging replace. To find out how Mary Lou is “fighting” for her well being, preserve studying.
Who Is Mary Lou Retton?
Mary is without doubt one of the most iconic gymnasts in U.S. historical past. Having earned the nickname “America’s Sweetheart” within the Eighties, the West Virginia native received the gold medal for the ladies’s particular person all-around competitors along with two silver and two bronze medals on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Mary was the primary feminine American gymnast to win gold within the Olympics’ all-around competitors.
Two years later, Mary retired from the game. Nonetheless, she remained within the public eye by showing in numerous movies, similar to Scrooged and episodes of Baywatch and Glee. She competed on DWTS in 2018 with Sasha as her dance accomplice.
What Sickness Does Mary Lou Retton Have?
On October 10, Mary’s daughter, McKenna, took to her Instagram Tales to ask followers for monetary help for her mom’s hospitalization. McKenna famous that the previous Olympian doesn’t have medical insurance.
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” McKenna revealed with a hyperlink to their SpotFund marketing campaign. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she is not insured.”
McKenna continued, “We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill. ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!”
How Is Mary Lou Retton’s Well being Now?
Throughout an October 10 interview with Leisure Tonight, Sasha stated he has been in touch together with his former accomplice and pal.
“I’ve been talking to her today, and she’s fighting,” Sasha famous however revealed that Mary, “kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, ‘There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!’”
The professional dancer then recalled that Mary “was in L.A. [a few weeks] ago, and she wanted to meet up, [but] I had rehearsals, and I couldn’t. She was like, ‘Let me take you out for dinner,’ and I couldn’t go because I had rehearsals.”
Although Sasha is apprehensive, he insisted that the gold medalist is “a fighter” and is “going to be great.”
“I know her very well, and she’s like family to me, and she’s a fighter. She’s strong,” Sasha concluded.
On October 14, the gymnast’s daughters offered one other replace through a social media assertion. “”We’re thrilled to share some uplifting updates! Mother’s progress is actually outstanding! Prayers have been felt and have been answered,” daughters Shayla and McKenna wrote.
“Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. Her fighting spirit is truly shining! Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing,” they defined. “Though it’s a lengthy journey, witnessing these improvements is incredibly heartening! She’s responding so well to treatments. Once more, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming love and support.”