Mary Lou Retton’s battle with a rare form of pneumonia has seen remarkable progress, according to her daughter.
The 1984 Olympic all-around champion has spent over a week in the ICU fighting for her life, prompting her family to seek public assistance via a fundraiser page. The page describes the pneumonia variant as extremely rare and notes that she is currently reliant on breathing machines.
Retton’s second-oldest daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared good news via Instagram on Saturday, stating her mother is on the road to recovery but still remains in the ICU. She also expressed gratitude for the support received.
The full statement:
We’re thrilled to share some uplifting news.
Mom’s progress is truly remarkable. Prayers have been felt and are being answered.
Although she remains in ICU, her path to recovery is steadily progressing. Her fighting spirit is truly shining!
Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing.
Though it’s a lengthy journey, witnessing these improvements is incredibly heartening! She’s beginning to respond to treatments.
Once more, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming love and support.
Retton remains a significant figure in U.S. Olympic history as the first female all-around champion in gymnastics. At the age of 16, Retton achieved gold at the Soviet-boycotted 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, with a perfect 10 vault. She also won silver in the team and vault events and bronze in floor exercise and uneven bars.
The American public continues to show their support, as her fundraiser page has raised over $400,000 as of Saturday afternoon. This includes a generous donation of $50,000 from Linda McIngvale, wife of Houston mattress magnate Jim McIngvale.
The fundraiser page explains that Retton is currently uninsured, and the proceeds will go towards her hospital bills.
Olivia Wilson is a trendsetter in the world of digital culture. With an eagle eye for emerging trends and viral phenomena, she keeps readers up-to-date with the latest online sensations, memes, and pop culture trends. Olivia’s passion for staying ahead of the curve is infectious.
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