American Ninja Warrior competitor Morgan “The Moose” Wright is giving an update on his health three years after suffering a massive heart attack.
Wright, who was kept alive by an Impella heart pump and appeared on the July 28 episode of the long-running competition show, opened up about his road to recovery while chatting exclusively with Parade.
“I was supposed to have a seven month recovery, and I was back to work in 11 weeks,” he begins. “And there were some downsides. I had massive paralysis on my right side. I had paralysis in my right pectoral, bicep, forearm and my hand. My hand was completely useless, and the swelling was so bad. I was getting those blisters on my hand because the water pressure was trying to leave.”
Noting there was “definitely some frustration and depression” amid his recovery, the PE teacher goes on to tell Parade that he focused on taking it day by day and doing what he could to get back to optimal health.
“I would walk a block, then I would walk a half mile, then I would walk a mile, then I would walk 10 miles, and I would walk 15 to 20 miles a day, and then I would start wearing a 20 pound weight vest while wall walking, and I couldn’t do anything at all with my upper body,” he explains. “So I would slowly put my hands against a wall and just try to lean a few inches into the wall and slowly build myself up. And even three years later, my right hand still has that numbing, tingly sensation. Like it’s just woken up from falling asleep.”
He continues: “I was able to recover the majority of my strength. My movements. I do have some memory issues still. I knew about half of my students’ names. I have like, 1100 students, and right now I know about 30. So, there’s some small things here and there. I tell my kids, I’m like, ‘Hey guys, you know, I had a heart attack. It’s messed with my memory. I always know your face. I love you all. I will not remember your name.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, got it, coach.’”
