Geri Jewell, popular for her portrayal of Geri Tyler on the hit sitcom The Facts of Life, has spent much of her life battling several health challenges. Born prematurely after her mother’s involvement in a car accident during pregnancy, Jewell was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just eighteen months old, a condition that subjected her to years of discrimination and isolation. As though that were not enough, the actress had a serious injury after a devastating fall in 1999, resulting in her undergoing surgery, which got her a “titanium neck” to stabilize her spine. Since having the procedure, Jewell has continued to live with the resulting pain.
In a recent interview, the 68-year-old shared insights into her health struggles, especially how she has been coping with the severe pain from her spinal surgery.
Geri Jewell speaks about her health challenges
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During an appearance on the March 24 episode of Steve Kmetko’s Still Here Hollywood podcast, Jewell opened up about her challenges as she grows older. She shared that mobility has become increasingly difficult due to balance issues and an altered gait. The Deadwood star also explained that her hearing has deteriorated, thus making life more frustrating as she navigates her physical limitations.
Jewell also spoke about the constant problems posed by her cerebral palsy and her surgical implants. She stated that her cerebral palsy sometimes causes involuntary movements in her neck, which is now 45 percent titanium, thus leading to severe pain.
Geri Jewell explains how she manages the constant pain from her spinal surgery.
The actress detailed that she combats the chronic pain by having two vials of Botox injected into her neck and shoulders every three months.
Beyond her medical regimen, Jewell revealed that maintaining a healthy sense of humor has helped her cope with her challenges. She explained her belief that laughter is an essential coping mechanism, joking that without it, she would struggle to stay sane.