Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Gives Major Update On Her Mom's Serious Health Scare
Mary Lou Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, has posted a promising update about her health after a life-threatening health scare. In early October, Retton's daughters announced that the former Olympic gymnast was dealing with a serious form of pneumonia. Retton's family launched a crowdfunding campaign shortly after to assist with her medical bills. They also revealed that Retton had no medical insurance when she got sick. On October 11, McKenna posted a statement announcing that although Retton was hospitalized and in the ICU, she was receiving great medical care. McKenna also thanked Retton's supporters — some of whom have since donated nearly $460,000 to her medical expenses.
Pro-dancer Sasha Farber, who danced with Retton during Season 27 of "Dancing with the Stars," also updated fans. "I've been talking to her today and she's fighting," Farber shared with Entertainment Tonight on October 10. "She 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!'" Farber also revealed that Retton had wanted to have lunch together before she fell ill, but work obligations wouldn't allow him to accept. "But I just mean, you know, you've got to see the people [you care about]," continued Farber. Fortunately, Retton is finally getting better, which means she and Farber may get their lunch date after all.
Mary Lou Retton is out of the hospital
Mary Lou Retton is recovering from her bout of pneumonia in the comfort of her own home, and McKenna Kelley announced as much on October 23. "My mom is HOME & in recovery mode," Kelley wrote in an Instagram statement. "We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps." Kelley also expressed gratitude towards her mother's supporters, then ended her statement with another round of thanks. "Thank you Jesus, thank you doctors & nurses, thank you to this loving community," she added.
While news of Retton's recovery has garnering positive responses across social media, she's also received considerable backlash. Despite not being privy to Retton's exact financial status, many fans have expressed the belief that she should have been able to take care of her own bills. "So, Mary Lou Retton was circling the drain a few days ago and now that her daughters have raised over $400k she's making a miraculous recovery? All so her daughters don't cut into their inheritance because she chose not to have health insurance?!?" tweeted one user.
Retton has yet to make a statement on her own behalf.