Queen’s Brian May Discloses Minor Stroke That Temporarily Disabled Left Arm
Today, Sept. 4, Brian May addressed his fans to disclose a recent health scare. Taking to his social channels, the legendary queen guitarist spoke directly to his audience in a short video that addressed a small stroke he suffered last week. May framed the announcement as “good news” that he can still play guitar, as the minor health incident temporarily inhibited his ability to use his instrument and the whole of his left arm.
“I say this because it was in some doubt, because [of] that little health hiccup that I mentioned, happened about a week ago,” the artist spoke, after twiddling his fingers before the camera to reassure his following. “What they called it was a minor stroke, and all of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control of this arm. So it was a little scary, I have to say, but I had the most fantastic care and attention from the hospital where I went. Blue lights flashing and the lot, very exciting.”
May went on to explain that his delay in announcing the health scare was due to an interest in avoiding the predictable outpouring of support and concern from Queen fans around the world. “I didn’t want to say anything at the time because I didn’t want anything surrounding it, you know, I really don’t want sympathy,” he stated wryly. “Please don’t do that because it’ll clutter up my inbox and I hate that.”
To recover, May is presently under strict doctor’s orders. “I’m just doing what I’m told, which is basically nothing,” he offers. “I’m grounded. I’m not allowed to go out–not allowed to drive, not allowed to go on a plane, not allowed to raise the heartrate too high.” Despite these confines, his spirit will not be deterred; just after his address, the artist and astrophysicist strides right into discussing an update on The Badgers, the Farmers and Me, his activist documentary on badger culling that has recently sparked a widespread debate on the ethics of commonplace agricultural practices. At 77 years old, his creative and intellectual resolve still never fails to astound.
View May’s post in its entirety below.
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