Mary Lou Retton’s Battle with Pneumonia: A Remarkable Journey of Recovery Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gymnastics champion, is making remarkable progress in her fight against a rare form of pneumonia that landed her in intensive care. In an update shared on Instagram by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, it was revealed that Retton’s breathing is getting stronger, and her path to recovery is steadily progressing. Facing such a challenging health battle, Retton’s improvements are a source of hope and inspiration for her family and fans. Witnessing her respond positively to treatments is incredibly heartening, even though the journey to full recovery may be lengthy. Earlier this week, Retton’s family shared the news that she was fighting for her life, unable to breathe on her own due to pneumonia. The seriousness of her condition led to an outpouring of support, with donations pouring in to help offset her medical expenses. Setting up a fundraiser, the family has received over 7,500 donations, totaling more than $415,000 as of Saturday afternoon. Retton’s legacy goes far beyond her success as an Olympic gold medalist. At just 16 years old, she became an icon of the U.S. Olympic movement with her historic all-around title win at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Her achievements brought gymnastics into the mainstream in the United States, a sport traditionally dominated by Eastern European powerhouses like Romania and the Soviet Union. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Retton made appearances as herself in various television series and movies, including “Scrooged,” “Baywatch,” and “Knots Landing.” She also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under President George W. Bush, along with fulfilling ambassadorial roles for both the Olympics and gymnastics. As one of West Virginia’s most famous athletes, Retton’s impact extends beyond the world of sports. In her hometown of Fairmont, she has a road and park named after her, solidifying her status as a local legend. During this challenging time, our thoughts and well wishes go out to Mary Lou Retton and her family. Her journey towards recovery serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of support and love. By Elizabeth Chapman, Personal Injury Blogger