Update on Annette Funicello

Annette,
I grew up admiring and loving watching you on the Mickey Mouse Club, in movies and listening to your music. My daddy actually brought me an album from Disneyland in 1962 - my first album. I have the original 45 record of Pineapple Princess!
I pray that you have no pain and are comfortable. You brought tremendous joy to my childhood and many great memories. God Bless You and your family!

My husband & I grew up with Annette and 'The Mickey Mouse Club'. He insists that Annette was his first girlfriend and still admires her to this day. You are in our thoughts & prayers.

In these days when young actresses live such troubled lives and seem unable to portray the image that would be an example and role model for children and teens, we long for the beauty and innocence of the Mousketeers and Beach Party actors. Annette was the most gorgeous girl on television and all the boys in school had a crush on her, including my older brother. She was so pretty and wholesome that the girls idolized her also. My prayers are with Annette and her family.
Annette---your fans still adore you. Thanks for all the good times you have given us with your career.

Annette:
I just love you and have followed you throughout the years since the 60s. You were indeed my favorite "mouseketeer". I just pray that this debilitating disease will not take away your spunk and spirit. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. God bless and keep you and comfort you at this time.

I am from Syracuse, New York, grew up loving Annette Funciello and followed her thru her career. I remember seeing her QVC showing her line of bears. My thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, children and family. Also being of italian heritage, I can only hope that her family is still the center of her life and there for her, irregardless if they are married. I am sure if she had grandchildren they are also the light of her life along with her children and husband. I would love to be in touch with her family.

I just posted a comment, it listed me as Rose Marie from Mallory, NY, I am from Syracuse, New York

Annette, I, too, watched you fervently every day on the Mickey Mouse Show in the late 50's, and 60's. I always had to get home from school in time to see your part of the show when you did your story.
To be in such pain all the time that nothing will take it away, no medicine, or injetions is the most frustrating thing I know. I also have MS and was diagnosed in 1983 at the age of 34. It was my eyes that gave out first and that's how they found it. I've been very fortunate that I have not needed a wheelchair to get around, but now I do need a cane for balance. I do fall down alot more now but I get up and go on.
Annette, even through your pain, you have brought beauty and charm to many children, young adults and older adults during your life, and for that, and many more little things, you will have a special place at the right hand of God. May peace be with you and may God's light shine upon you.
Deb

Duxbury, Massachusetts

Annette, you were my idol. I don't know of anyone that has brought so much happiness to so many people. I think of you often and you and your family are in my prayers. God bless!
Love,
Gail L.
Florida

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. God bless you all

Dear Annette,

I too was diagnosed with MS in 1989. You are in my prayers and I know Jesus will be with you in heaven. You made my childhood very happy. I watched the Mickey Mouse Club all the time.

Peace,
Nancy

Does anyone know if Miss Annette Funicello ever did umbilical cord stem cells for MS? I have had Progressive MS for 14 years and I did stem cells. They helped me a lot. For one thing, the disease hasn't progressed at all in 18 months sinced i started the stem cells, and I had a lot of improvements.

Dear Nancy:
You live so close to Tijuana, Mexico. I live on the East Coast and still decided to try the Umbilical Cord Stem Cell treatment first time in March 2007. I thank God I decided to go for it. The most important achievement : there was no symptom worsening (disease progression) since then. I am still using motorized scooters inside the house and out, and also a stairlift to get up and down inside the house, meaning I am not able to take steps by myself yet. But I can stand by holding the rail, I can get out of my bed by myself, onto the scooter, to the bathroom onto the commode and back without aid. My parents live next door, I have two teenager kids and a working husband. My support system is terrific, may God be glorified! Before the stem cell treatment I could not even move in my bed, could not get up, I needed help for every move. I was drained out the whole day, my spine was so weak that I was almost crumbling whie sitting on my scooter. Before treatment, I had hit a rock bottom of functional distress I have never reached again for 18 months. I will go back in about 3 months to have another round of treatment, as I knew from the start that Umbilical Cord Stem Cells (which are pluripotent) are not a cure, at least so far, but a huge help in visibly improving function and quality of life. I have been diagnosed in 1994, as relapsing-remitting at first. Then, 4 years ago I turned progressive, could no longer walk, drive and stand long hours as my job required. I had to retire by disability at 43. I would like to share with you more about my treatment experience, if you want me to. I have tried before Interferon for 7 years, live bee stings for 5 years, acupuncture, you name it. Nothing helped except the heterologous stem cell,(meaning the umbilical cord ones). My email is cladiplan@erols.com. May God bless you and give you the strength to cope. All the best, Diana Lazar

Nancy Hoy wrote:

Dear Annette,
I too was diagnosed with MS in 1989. You are in my prayers and I know Jesus will be with you in heaven. You made my childhood very happy. I watched the Mickey Mouse Club all the time.
Peace,
Nancy

If there is anyone that can give me current information about the other stars of the "Beach Movies" i would be very grateful.
Annette,i to i am praying for you.Like so many others i have loved you most of my life and i appreciate all the happiness that you brought into my life. Please get well.

Annette
I am praying that your suffering from this awful MS is minimized and that you still know how many fans and admirerers still thank you for the work that you have done--as a Mouseketeer, in the beach movies with Frankie, and as giving us all a reason to smile.
I remember watching the original MMC and thought you were such a doll. I want to remember you as the sweet and talented person that you had been. So many around the world me included love you to bits.
Peace and love going out to you,
Cindy

The last update I heard was about 2 weeks ago, at that time Annette was close to death. I haven't heard anything new, I know God will be kind and end her suffering soon. God bless you Annette.
You're in my thoughts,
Lisa

My dear friend Annette, yes, tho we have never met in person, I value you as a "friend in spirit" -like so many others! My prayers are with you and your family each and every day. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life and the inspiring way you have lived your life-may God grant you peace.

I loved Annette on the Mickey Mouse Club plus saw all her Beach movies. I just saw a picture of her in a wheel chair with her nurse and am mad as can be. Why do the paparassi have to intrude on her privacy? They should be arrested.

Precious

Precious Annette, I pray the Lord will surround you and your family with His love and shower you with His blessings. May He bless each of you with strength and courage in this difficult time.

annette my prayers are that god will be with you and your family.
i am one of your fans. i watched you on the mickey mouse club and also all your beach movies. i have some of your movies on tape.
you were a person a teen could look up to.
my love goes out to you and your family.