House music pioneer Frankie Knuckles has issued a statement to clarify rumours claiming that he has had one of his legs amputated due to complications arising from his diabetes. Knuckles said that he was forced to have one of his feet amputated in July, but this was not diabetes-related.
Knuckles said: “Recently there has been a lot of scuttle-butt going around on the internet about me and my health. Apparently, someone perpetrating that they are a friend or someone close to me felt it necessary to use me and my personal health in an open forum for public discussion. I feel violated and disrespected. But, to put these rumors to rest, here’s what’s been going on; Almost 10 years ago I broke my right foot. And instead of sitting still and allowing it to mend properly, I returned to the road and continued to travel during the healing process. Well, the foot never really healed properly and over the past 10 years continued to give me great difficulty. Throughout that period I developed a disease in my foot called osteomialitis (it’s a disease of the bone). For years I worked with my doctors to combat this illness and they informed me (to a degree) that all this work was pretty much the equivalent of putting a bandaid on the situation. Eventually, it was going to get the better of me and I’d be left with no other choice but to have my foot amputated”.
He continued: “Well, I praise my doctors for helping me put up a good fight. But what was inevitable came to fruition on July 3rd. I didn’t lose my leg but I did lose my foot. It was necessary because the disease was beginning to travel up my leg, threatening my heart. I didn’t have a problem losing my foot. After all, I still have another. But I did have a problem losing my life. This is the only one I have. This disease I developed wasn’t diabetic related. The fact that I have diabetes may have compounded it to a degree (in its latter stages). But you’ll all be happy to know that I’m doing very well. I’m 1000% better now that my body is rid of the disease and I’m no longer living in pain. I lived with that pain for almost 10 years and most of you never knew it. And you weren’t supposed to”.
Get well soon Frankie from every one at Radio Magnetic.
