Tatum O’Neal, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, has opened up about her ongoing recovery from a massive stroke she suffered three years ago. She also revealed a recent reunion with her father, Ryan O’Neal, with whom she has had a turbulent relationship throughout her life. During the time she had the stroke, O’Neal was struggling with suicidal thoughts and had a desire to jump off her high-rise apartment and end her life. This happened amidst the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the fear and uncertainty of the situation. O’Neal, now 59, contracted a severe flu that took a turn for the worse, leading her to give her dog Pickle to her daughter for care. She was unaware at the time that she had COVID-19. O’Neal admitted to a history of drug problems and overdose on prescription drugs in May 2020. This overdose triggered the stroke, affecting her right frontal cortex. She was found unconscious in her apartment by a friend and was rushed to the hospital. O’Neal’s son, Kevin, later revealed that she also experienced cardiac arrest and seizures during her recovery. There were moments when her survival seemed uncertain. After six weeks in a coma, O’Neal woke up but was unable to speak. She was eventually moved to an assisted living facility where she spent three miserable months. During her stay, O’Neal attempted to escape and was found limping on the road by a security guard. Her children found comfort in her rebellious spirit as it showed that she was still the same person inside. Currently, O’Neal is at another retirement community that specializes in memory care, where she receives daily therapy for her speech and memory. Although she can now engage in hours-long conversations, she still experiences difficulty finding words at times. Despite concerns about her mobility, the stroke did not heavily impact her ability to walk. O’Neal had prior mobility issues due to rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, O’Neal reunited with her father after three years of estrangement. They had their first family picture together in 17 years in 2020, several months after her stroke. O’Neal revealed that her father initially had mixed feelings towards her due to the Academy Award she won at the age of 10 for her performance in “Paper Moon.” However, she still loves her father and hopes for a positive outcome from their reunion. Although the initial meeting went well, her father did not respond to her attempts to meet again, which left her feeling uneasy. Nonetheless, she wished him a happy birthday on Instagram. O’Neal’s acting career includes notable films such as “The Bad News Bears,” “Nickelodeon,” and “Little Darlings.” She has also appeared in TV shows like “Sex and the City” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” O’Neal hopes to continue her recovery and rebuild her relationship with her father.
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