Christopher Cross is opening up contracting the COVID-19 virus, revealing it actually paralyzed him.
The 69-year-old Grammy winning singer-songwriter opened up about his time with COVID-19 in a new interview on CBS Sunday Morning airing October 18.
He told correspondent Serena Altschul that, while his time with the virus was brief, it represented the darkest time in his life.
Opening up: Christopher Cross is opening up contracting the COVID-19 virus, revealing it actually paralyzed him
‘It was the worst 10 days of my life. And I couldn’t walk, could barely move. And so, it was certainly the darkest of times for me. You know? It really was touch and go, and tough,’ the Sailing singer said.
‘There was some, you know, come-to-Jesus moments or whatever, where I was looking for any help I could get … to get out of this thing, because I wasn’t sure,’ he added.
The singer and his girlfriend were diagnosed with COVID-19 after a trip to Mexico City, and after testing positive, they were both sick for about three weeks.
Worst 10 days: ‘It was the worst 10 days of my life. And I couldn’t walk, could barely move. And so, it was certainly the darkest of times for me. You know? It really was touch and go, and tough,’ the Sailing singer said
‘I could tell you that I had a few conversations when I was in there – with whoever he or she is, and just saying, you know, “If you could just get me out of here, I will be a better person,” he said.
After recovering from COVID-19, he felt good enough to go to the grocery store in April, when his legs gave out, and he was then diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which attacks the nervous system, and his doctors believe was caused by COVID-19.
The singer-songwriter, who won five Grammys for his eponymous debut album in 1979, added he wanted people to know how this virus affects you.
Conversations: ‘I could tell you that I had a few conversations when I was in there – with whoever he or she is, and just saying, you know, “If you could just get me out of here, I will be a better person,” he said
‘I’m not a big celebrity, but it’s important for people to know you can get this disease. I felt it was my obligation to share with people,’ he said.
‘Look, this is a big deal. Like, you’ve got to wear your mask. You’ve got to take care of each other. Because this could happen to you,’ he added.
While his paralysis was temporary, his walking is still affected months later, and he still has to use a cane to get around.
Important: ‘I’m not a big celebrity, but it’s important for people to know you can get this disease. I felt it was my obligation to share with people,’ he said
‘So yeah, my walking is affected. My speech at times can be affected. Memory is a big deal, too. Just neurologically, I’m kind of a little foggy, you know?’ he added.
‘Now I’m on medication … a nerve pain medication, which also can cause some fogginess. But until I can get off it at some point, I won’t know how clear I would be,’ Cross added.
‘But most people with Guillain-Barre heal about 90% to 100% over about a year. That’s what my prognosis is,’ Cross said.
The full interview with Cross will air on CBS Sunday Morning on Sunday, October 18.
Affected: ‘So yeah, my walking is affected. My speech at times can be affected. Memory is a big deal, too. Just neurologically, I’m kind of a little foggy, you know?’ he added