"I was tested for a stroke"- Aly Raisman reveals 'scary' details of post traumatic disorder she suffered following Larry Nassar scandal

Retired artistic gymnast Aly Raisman spoke about experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the sexual abuse by Larry Nassar. This caused her to experience stroke-like symptoms, which is why she had to be admitted to the hospital on multiple occasions.

Nassar was the national medical coordinator of the USA Gymnastics between 1996 and 2014. Although the young gymnasts were sent to him to treat them for any sort of pain - back, hip, or muscle, he used to instead touch them inappropriately.

In 2016, he was arrested for sexually assaulting at least 265 young women and girls, including Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Jeanette Antolin, Jessica Howard, and Jamie Dantzscher, among other prominent names. Nassar is currently serving his time in federal prison with charges of sexual assault and misconduct and child pornography.

Recently, Aly Raisman discussed the post-traumatic stress disorder she endured after being abused by Dr. Nassar, whose symptoms were very similar to stroke. She revealed the same on Call Her Daddy podcast on Spotify (at 34:10):

“I have literally stroke-like symptoms. I can't remember my name. I'm like slurring my words. I can barely speak. Both times I was tested for a stroke because I literally couldn't move my body. It was so scary. And the first time, the doctors had absolutely no idea what it was.”

The three-time Olympic gold medalist added:

“So, being in the first time it happened was during COVID and so they wouldn't let my mom in the ambulance with me. So I was also, it's really interesting because I can't, I can understand what someone is saying to me and asking me. I know they're asking me what my name is, but I can't remember my name or say what my name is.”

Raisman also mentioned about her experiences that she faced again, stating:

"At the time, this was years ago during COVID, so I was like really still struggling a lot with PTSD where people don't realize how much it still lives with you when you've been through something traumatic. And then it happened again a little bit over a year ago where it was like I, it actually was in the hospital for three days. They obviously don't keep you in the ER for three days for nothing.”

Aly Raisman provides testimony in court against Larry Nassar

Aly Raisman at the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

In a multi-day sentencing hearing, Aly Raisman gave a powerful testimony against Larry Nassar on January 19, 2018. She delivered a 13-minute speech, which included the following as a part of her statement:

"Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force and you are nothing. The tables have turned, Larry. We have our voices, and we are not going anywhere."

After going through the traumatic experience, Raisman released her book titled ‘From My Head to My Toes’. This book familiarizes children with the concepts of consent and bodily autonomy positively and gently.