Jesse Malin Overcomes Rare Spinal Cord Stroke, Remains Hopeful for Full Recovery

Rock singer Jesse Malin is recovering from a rare spinal cord stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Malin, 56, revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he suffered the stroke at a restaurant in New York City last month. He recalled feeling a sharp pain in his back and then feeling like he was in a scene from the movie “Rosemary’s Baby” as people stood around him trying to figure out what was wrong.

Spinal cord strokes occur when the blood flow to the spine is blocked, which can happen because of a blood clot, plaque buildup in the arteries or bleeding in the spinal cord. The lack of blood deprives the spinal cord of oxygen and nutrients, damaging or even killing the cells in the spinal cord, according to Northwestern Medicine.

Some of the symptoms of spinal cord strokes include aching or weakness in the legs, sharp back pain, or burning back pain, according to the National Stroke Association. Malin is currently wheelchair-bound and undergoing physical therapy at a New York City rehab center.

Malin is a highly energetic performer who did his first public stage dive at age 14 during a live taping of a Fear gig on “Saturday Night Live.” He is hopeful that he will make a full recovery and is grateful for the support he has received from fans and friends.