Pop Culture

Christopher Cross Describes His Temporary Paralysis During COVID-19 Battle

Christopher Cross, arguably the Fleet Admiral of Yacht Rock, has detailed the horrors of living with coronavirus in an interview that will air on CBS Sunday Morning this weekend.

“It was the worst 10 days of my life,” he said. “And I couldn’t walk, could barely move. And so, it was certainly the darkest of times for me.”

The 69-year-old Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter of classics like “Sailing,” “Ride Like The Wind,” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” contracted the illness in April after returning from Mexico City. He and his girlfriend were sick for three weeks, but Cross thought he felt well enough for a trip to a supermarket. Upon returning his legs gave out and he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Though able to walk now, he is still using a cane. “My speech at times can be affected. Memory is a big deal, too. Just neurologically, I’m kind of a little foggy,” he added, citing the effects of the nerve pain medication he’s been prescribed. His prognosis for a recovery, however, is good, and 90 percent of people with Guillain-Barre recover in a year.

During the worst of it, Cross said he pleaded with “whoever He or She is, just saying, you know, ‘If you could just get me out of here, I will be a better person.” As such, he hopes others can learn from him.

“I’m not a big celebrity,” he said, “but it’s important for people to know you can get this disease.” He added, “you’ve got to wear your mask. You’ve got to take care of each other. Because, you know, this could happen to you.”

With that active positivity in mind, here is Cross’s 1983 hit “All Right.”

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