Mary Lou Retton has slammed people who have criticized her four daughters for setting up a crowdsourced fund to help cover the medical costs of an Olympic medalist battling a rare form of pneumonia.
“They didn’t deserve that. They were just trying to take care of me.” “Entertainment Tonight,” Retton said.”
“I don’t care about the naysayers. There are trolls everywhere. That’s what makes us America. Everyone has an opinion.”
She added: “Your opinion is welcome. But you were not in this situation. My daughters stepped up to bat and saved my life.”
Retton, 56, was admitted to intensive care last year with a rare form of pneumonia that left her family “fighting a life-threatening battle.”
Her daughters then set up a spot fund to cover the costs.
“My amazing mother, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is unable to breathe on her own,” Spotfund said. “She has been in the ICU for over a week. Out of respect for her and her privacy I can’t give away all the details, except that I can tell you she is uninsured.”
“If there is anything I can do to help, please 1) pray. 2) help with hospital costs.
Spot Fund announced it had raised $459,354 from 8,324 donors as of Thursday morning.
Entertainment Tonight noted that there has been criticism of the foundation over Retton’s wealth as a former star athlete and how he has used the money.
As her daughters mentioned in her post, Retton admitted she didn’t have insurance at the time and wasn’t making much money.
She became the first American woman to win a gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Win the overall competition.
“After the divorce, then corona hit. Literally, corona hit. We didn’t have any work because our job is to be around people and talk to them. I have to say it’s not like it used to be. ” Retton told ET. “My rise to fame was many years ago and I was just doing what I could to get by and pay the bills.
“And then the coronavirus hit, we got divorced, and everything was ruined.”
Ms Retton said she was “grateful” for all the donations and insisted there was nothing nefarious going on with the funds as she was still paying her bills.
“All it will cost is medical expenses,” Retton said, adding that she now has insurance, “and whatever’s left, I want to donate to the American Lung Association.”
Furthermore, she added: “From the ambulance fees to everything, you can’t imagine it. I couldn’t have done it without my daughters. I couldn’t do it. I mean, I don’t know where they are.”
Retton said he is still on oxygen, adding that he is tired of the air support tube he has to wear in his nose, and lamented not being able to do the things he loves.
“I still have a hard time breathing, I still have a hard time catching my breath to talk, but I’m a talker,” Retton said. “I haven’t been able to work properly because I don’t know if I’ll be able to stand on stage and give an hour-long talk like I usually do for 40 years. It’s frustrating. I have to say it’s been tough. My lungs are different. It’s a beast, it’s a different beast, and it takes a very long time to recover. I had a relapse a while ago, and I’m back under control. I’m also disappointed.”
Through all the difficulties, Retton has had the support of his daughters.
“They were always there for me and were really great,” Retton said.
