Actor Quinton Aaron, known for his role in "The Blind Side," has stated he is determined to walk again after a spinal stroke in January left him paralyzed from the waist down. Aaron, 42, shared an update on his health journey, describing it as a significant recovery process.
In January, Aaron experienced severe back pain before waking up with a loss of movement and feeling in his legs. During his hospitalization, he fell into a coma and experienced cardiac arrest, requiring resuscitation multiple times. He told Us Weekly that during one of these critical moments, he had a near-death experience.
Aaron is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is focused on regaining strength. He reports feeling his legs when touched and has observed involuntary movement, which doctors have indicated is a positive sign for potential recovery. "I told you, I'm gonna walk again," he said, sharing a video of his leg movement with his representative.
Leading up to the incident, Aaron stated that an infection spread through his bloodstream to his spinal cord and lungs, causing the stroke. His faith has been a significant source of motivation during his recovery, fueling his goal to not only walk again but to eventually run and swim.
This health challenge follows previous medical issues and significant personal changes for Aaron. In late January, news broke that he was on life support due to a severe blood infection, prompting a GoFundMe to be set up for his medical expenses. At the time, his manager confirmed he was receiving excellent medical care and was surrounded by family.
Last year, Aaron announced a 200-pound weight loss, bringing his weight down to 375 pounds from a high of 575 pounds. He attributed his previous weight gain to unhealthy eating habits and expressed concern about his health. He began using the weight-loss drug Ozempic in 2024 but discontinued it due to an allergic reaction, subsequently turning to intermittent fasting. Aaron had previously revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and in 2021, he was diagnosed with diabetes, which had spurred his health transformation.
In addition to his recovery, Aaron is pursuing new projects, including a book titled "The Blind Side Of Love" and a podcast called "Podcast 2.0," with plans to return to the film industry.
The actor also addressed his brief marriage to Margarita DeLeon, which he stated was voided as they were not legally married. He indicated that he had not spoken to DeLeon since being hospitalized and did not wish to see her, citing alleged deception regarding her marital status. DeLeon, however, has disputed some of the information regarding her legal status and Aaron's health.