Annette's Health Scare (Annette Funicello in car accident, worsening MS condition)

Yahoo ^ | 8/11/05

[lowbridge]

Annette's Health Scare

Could it be true? The Globe magazine is reporting that bubbly beach beauty ANNETTE FUNICELLO is reportedly suffering from advanced multiple sclerosis recently complicated by a car accident.

The once-curvaceous pin-up from the giddy California beach movies of the 1950s has been confined to a wheelchair and was photographed by the tabloid being wheeled into her home on Aug. 3 after an alleged five-day hospital stay. Details of the accident, however, were not forthcoming.

Annette, 62, has been suffering from MS for 18 years, after first experiencing blurred vision and tingling in 1987. She was soon diagnosed with the chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system but kept it secret from the public until 1992, when she made the suprising announcement. She was later seen with Entertainment Tonight's MARY HART walking with a cane.

MS is a crippling condition that interferes with nerve pathways and causes muscular weakness, loss of coordination and speech and visual disturbances. Other stars such as RICHARD PRYOR and TERI GARR also have MS. There is no cure.

For the latest on the former Mousketeer's condition, watch tonight's "Insider."

[lowbridge]

"was photographed by the tabloid being wheeled into her home"

I was standing in line at the supermarket last night when I saw this weeks issue of the tabloid, "The Globe". On the front cover I saw that heartbreaking picture of Annette. I read the article inside the tabloid and it doesnt give any details of the accident, but it did say that the accident has worsened her condition.

The above article is so far the only item I can find online mentioning any of this.

Prayers for Annette Funicello. One of my favorite actresses, my most favorite Mouseketeer, and one of my most favorite people in the whole world.

http://www.annettefunicello.net/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002088/

[veronica]

A reminder of sweeter, more innocent times. Would that we could go back....

Prayers for the lovely Annette.

[FreedomCalls]

Here's a recent (1997) picture of her getting kissed by Fabian.

[Vaquero]

I really liked Annette, make no mistake about it....but I really had the hots for Darlene.....

That being said......I wish her well with this latest setback.

[babyface00]

Looks like Darlene ended up as a convicted felon (securities fraud):

http://members.tripod.com/~former_child_star/gillespie_darlene.html

[TBP]

There is no cure.

None that we know of, anyway.

[Americanexpat]

Childhood memories of Annette, always liked her.

[wizr]

She was, and is, a beautiful lady. There is only one cure for all of our worldly frailties: Heaven. She'll be as gorgeous as she ever was, then.

[marvlus]

I am trying to get my daughter (who was diagnosed with MS about 7 years ago) to focus on her diet. I believe that eating less processed foods and more natural foods can help minimize the symptoms of this debilitating disease.

[reagan_fanatic]

I used to have such a crush on her when I was a kid. I wish her well in her struggle.

[lowbridge]

bump

[windcliff]

ping

[PISANO]

Well said.......it was nice to live in an age when the difference between RIGHT and WRONG was OBVIOUS. Prayers for [Annette] my first crush as a youngster.

California needs more like you......

[spectre]

She was, and remains..my role model. Thank you, Annette!

I recall an interview with Annette, where she said she had very few Collectibles from her Mickey Mouse Club days. That broke my heart.

sw

[Holicheese]

If John Kerry was president, she would get up and sing!
John Edwards told me so.

[joebuck]

Annette's boobs and Mickey's ears made Disney what it is today.

[Vaquero]

Annette's boobs and Mickey's ears made Disney what it is today Thats funny cause I was looking out the window at a tuffted titmouse perched on a tree outside my house this very afternoon!

[lowbridge]

bump

[onyx]

A reminder of sweeter, more innocent times. Would that we could go back....

Indeed. If only.