Mary Lou Retton Reflects on ‘Preciousness of Life’ Following Hospitalization
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton opened up about her battle with pneumonia and shared how she is grateful to be alive.
In October, the gold medalist found herself in the ICU “fighting for her life.”
Movieguide® reported:
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley wrote on a fundraising page for her mother. “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.”
She 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.”
She left the hospital in late October and recently reflected on the experience with the TODAY show.
“This is serious, and this is life, and I’m so grateful to be here,” Retton said. “I am blessed to be here because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support.”
The gymnast was diagnosed with a “rare form of pneumonia.”
Her four daughters—Shayla Schrepfer, McKenna Lane Kelley, Skyla Kelley and Emma Jean Kelley—were told to “prepare for the worst” and had to discuss whether or not to put their mother on a ventilator.
However, Retton began to recover, and Schrepfer shared on Instagram, “Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and answered.”
“…her path to recovery is steadily unfolding,” she continued. “Her fighting spirit is truly shining!
Retton is currently on a portable oxygen tank to allow her lungs to heal properly, but she is in much better spirits and has improved tremendously.
“On this day of giving thanks, I am reminded of the preciousness of life, the love that surrounds me, and the resilience of the human spirit,” Retton said.
