‘80s punk rocker Jello Biafra, 67, of Dead Kennedys, is clinging onto his “fighting spirit” one week after suffering a hemorrhaging stroke.
In a Facebook update on his well-being, his family explained that Biafra is battling a lack of physical mobility and is facing exhaustion as he fights to survive.
Jello Biafra Works to Improve Physical Mobility Amid Stroke Recovery
“Well, it has been a devastating week. Jello is making progress, but he has a long road of recovery ahead of him,” the Facebook statement read. “Cognitively, he is as sharp as ever, but he is suffering a bit with the left side of his body not cooperating. His fighting spirit is a blessing right now.”
As the statement continued, the punk rocker’s family thanked his fans for their support and explained the difference it has made in his recovery.
“Sorry, we haven’t responded yet to all your texts and calls. It is hard for him to text, so I am replying to people,” the statement said. “It has just been so intense and chaotic that it is taking a while. Soooooooo many people reaching out. I can give updates on this page if you like.”
“He is appreciating the outpouring of love and support. It definitely lifts his spirits. Message me if needed. If you are planning to come visit, tell me,” the statement continued. “We have to space it out. He gets very tired very fast. Much love. Anne-Marie.”
Jello Biafra Says He Collapsed During His Stroke
Biafra suffered his stroke on March 7 and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that his high blood pressure caused his cardiac failure, People reported. Just days after his medical emergency, the singer’s family shared a brief message from Biafra on Instagram, where he said that his legs gave out from under him before collapsing to the floor.
“I hopped out of my bed because I needed to pee, and my left leg just collapsed under me and I fell to the floor,” Biafra said. “I couldn’t even break the fall with my left arm because it wasn’t working either. I tried to hop back up again, and I couldn’t. I realized I had ‘fallen and I can’t get up!’”
“It was this point I thought, ‘Oh [expletive], I’m having a stroke!’ I still have a lot of great stuff in me,” he added. “But right now I gotta lotta of rehabbing to do.”
As the lead singer of Dead Kennedys from their formation in 1978 until 1986, when they disbanded, Biafra cemented himself as a notable voice of the punk-rock sound as well as a respected lyricist, who wrote many of the group’s songs, including “California Über Alles,” “Holiday in Cambodia,” “Kill the Poor” and more.
