Over the past three months, 8,319 donors have donated nearly half a million dollars ($459,324 to be exact) to Olympic great Mary Lou Retton. It came after her daughter announced on social media that Retton was “fighting for her life in a very unusual way.” She might have pneumonia.'' She didn't have insurance.
Additionally, over the past three months, USA TODAY Sports has been in numerous text messages and phone calls with Retton, her daughter McKenna Kelly, and two family friends, with questions still unresolved as of Monday afternoon. I've been trying to get an answer. .
On Monday, in several text messages and voicemails, he was asked about his recent lack of health insurance, his financial situation, and why he would not reveal the name of his hospital or doctor more than two months after being discharged from the hospital. Ta. , Retton, 55, declined to respond.
Retton is under scrutiny for a simple reason: she refuses to answer the most basic questions about her health care. That's when Kelly and her three sisters decided to raise public donations for their mother on a crowdsourcing site. spotfund.com. If they hadn't done that, Retton's illness would likely have remained a private matter and wouldn't have suddenly appeared in public and so many strangers been tempted to send money. Sho.
Retton still refuses to talk to USA TODAY Sports, but agreed to an interview on NBC's “Today Show” Monday morning. She appeared with an oxygen tube in her nose and described her harrowing month-long stay in hospital, including a moment when “they almost put her on life support.” However, she was able to return to her home in late October.
more:Mary Lou Retton received donations of $459,324. She and her family would not discuss how the money was spent.
NBC said Retton did not want to name the hospital, which is consistent with how she, her family and officials addressed the issue to USA TODAY Sports.
When asked by NBC why he didn't have health insurance, Retton said, “During the COVID-19 outbreak, after my divorce (in 2018), and due to a pre-existing condition, I had to undergo orthopedic surgery. “I have undergone this over 30 times,” he said. –I didn't have that luxury. ”
Then she exclaimed, “But who would have thought something like this would happen to me?”
Regarding health insurance, he said, “I'm fine now,'' and confirmed that he was currently enrolled in medical insurance by saying, “Yes, yes.''
USA TODAY Sports asked her on Monday: spotfund.com The donation is being paid for health insurance premiums, but there was no response.
When asked in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports why her mother didn't have health insurance, Kelly, 26, said Retton didn't have access to affordable medical care because of his pre-existing conditions. This included “more than 30 orthopedic surgeries,” he said. , including four hip replacements. She suffers from chronic pain every day. ”
“Given her medical history and the number of surgeries she has endured for gymnastics and life, she cannot afford it,” Kelly said.
Kelly said an insurance agent contacted by USA TODAY Sports found two plans for $545 and $680 per month for people with her mother's medical history. However, he said, “I was unable to join.'' She has been unable to work and speak for two years due to the pandemic, so she waived her insurance. ”
Retton “tried to sign up for (health insurance) again, but it wouldn't go through, and then he got sick,” Kelly said.
In a text message to USA TODAY Sports Saturday, Kelly would not comment on how much of the nearly $500,000 was spent, but said “any remaining funds” would be donated to a charity of her mother's choice. . She did not provide a schedule or further information.
