Mary Lou Retton, the legendary Olympic gymnast who stole America’s hearts in 1984 in California, is in the ICU “fighting for her life” according to a report by her daughter. The 55-year-old gymnast is suffering a very bad case of pneumonia – a rare form of it to be precise, and Retton is struggling to breathe on her own.
Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, McKenna Lane Kelley, said on Instagram: “My sisters Skyla, Shayla, Emma and I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our Mom. Mom is in ICU and continues to fight. She is getting incredible medical care! Thank you to all the doctors and nurses! We ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts for our Mom.”
McKenna Lane Kelly further said there’s a fundraiser to help her mom, Mary Lou Retton, and the link to that is right here. Kelly said: “Hey everyone! On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help. My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. 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 not insured.”
A report on The American Tribune further quoted McKenna Lane Kelly in the story about Mary Lou Retton suffering in the hospital with a very rare form of pneumonia. Their sports commentary article stated:
She added, “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!”
The campaign has so far picked up quite a bit of help from people who saw the former Olympian’s need and donated, with the barometer of donations on the SpotFund campaign page showing that it has so far raised $272,431 of its $50,000 goal.
If you remember anything about the 1984 Olympics, then you’d probably remember Mary Lou Retton and Carl Lewis the most. I was only a few years old at the time, so I have no recollection of it, but I remember hearing Mary Lou Retton and Carl Lewis’ name a lot as a kid growing up. I know they made a huge impact and how important, special, and awesome they were. Keep Mary Lou Retton in your thoughts and pray for her family!
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