‘Scary’ turn in Retton health woes
Mary Lou Retton had a “scary setback” this week in her battle against a rare form of pneumonia, the gymnastic icon’s family revealed in an Instagram post late Wednesday night.
Retton’s daughter, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, said in a video posted to social media that things had seemed like they were headed in a positive direction, but an issue occurred on Tuesday.
“We were so excited, seeing so much progress and then yesterday, we had a pretty scary setback,” Schrepfer said. “She is still in ICU, and we’re just working through some things as far as her setback goes.”
Schrepfer did not say what exactly happened to cause the setback, but she did say that Retton had a “better day” on Wednesday and that she was “just really, really exhausted.”
Retton’s family first went public when her daughter McKenna Kelley set up a Spot Fund page to help raise money to cover her mother’s medical expenses. The goal was originally to raise $50,000, however, as of Wednesday night, it had raised more than $450,000.
The family had expressed how overwhelmed and grateful they were for all the support, and Schrepfer reiterated that on Wednesday.
“Just wanted to give an update and thank you guys again for the support,” Schrepfer said. “I’m getting so many messages and emails and its so great to see people love on her.”
Retton became a household name in the 1980s and rose to icon status in 1984 after the gymnast became the first American woman to win the gold medal in the individual allaround competition at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Retton took home five medals that year and shot to superstardom, which included being named 1984’s Sports Woman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. She has appeared in a number of films and TV shows.
Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.