“We were so excited, seeing so much progress, and then yesterday we had a pretty scary setback,” her daughter said in another video she posted on Instagram. We’re simply sorting out a few things in terms of her setback while she’s still in the intensive care unit. I simply wanted to provide an update.
Mary Lou “had a better day today, which is great,” said Shayla, adding that her mother is “really, really exhausted.”
On October 11, 2023, Shayla Schrepfer, Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, provided further information about her mother’s ongoing medical struggle.
Mary Lou, 55, has been hospitalized for a week while she fights a rare form of pneumonia, according to Shayla in an interview with People.
Then Shayla posted a video with more information about her mother’s situation.
The iconic American’s daughter is coming up while her mother battles for her life. We want to keep the specifics between her and our family at this time, so we ask that you respect her limits as we go through the process day by day.
Mary Lou is “still fighting” for her life, the woman continued, but “she’s been treated by the best of the best professionals here and it has been such a blessing to have their hands on her, so please continue the prayers and we cannot thank you enough for the love and support that you guys have shown.”
You’ve probably heard of Mary Lou Retton before. Retton made Olympic gymnastics history in 1984 when competing for Team USA in Los Angeles.
As you probably remember, she won the gold medal over Romania’s Ecaterina Szabo thanks to her amazing vault and floor routine, which got her 10s across the board. Later, she was named Sportswoman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, and her picture appeared on a Wheaties box.
Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley revealed with her followers on her Instagram Story that her mother is currently “fighting for her life in the ICU.” “My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia,” Kelly said.
She can’t breathe on her own, I’m afraid. She has now spent more than a week in the ICU. I won’t go into all the facts since I respect her and her right to privacy. I will say that she is uninsured, though.
In addition, Kelley has established a fund and is requesting donations from anyone who is able to do so in order to assist her pay her mounting medical debt. “We kindly request that you PRAY if you can in any way help! and 2) if you might lend a hand with the hospital bill’s financial burden.
Retton continued to maintain a high profile by appearing as a guest star on shows like Glee, Baywatch, and season 27 of Dancing With the Stars after quitting gymnastics in 1986. How long Retton has been in the hospital is unknown.
Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and has four daughters.
This story is still developing.