Patricia Neal is Partially Paralyzed — and Pregnant

Mar. 18, 1965 - Patricia Neal (pictured with John Wayne in the forthcoming film, “In Harm’s Way”), who suffered three massive strokes, is paralyzed on her right side and is pregnant, her husband, Roald Dahl, the British writer, disclosed today.

“She’s five months pregnant,” Dahl said, “but we don’t know whether or not she’ll be able to have the baby. We’ll have to evaluate the effect of the medication and X-ray treatment she’s received.”

The 39-year-old actress was released last night from the UCLA Medical Center, where she had been since was stricken on Feb. 17. She is with Dahl and their three children at their rented home in nearby Pacific Palisades.

Miss Neal also suffered aphasia, an inability to speak, as a result of her strokes, her husband said.

“But she is responding well to rehabilitation treatment. She is fully conscious, and her thought processes are perfect,” he added.

Miss Neal was unconscious for 2½ weeks. The writer said he and his wife would remain in Hollywood for four to six weeks, then return to their home in England.

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