Sen. Donny Olson, who represents the far northwest region of Alaska, is in Chicago after suffering some kind of medical event that first took him to Anchorage for treatment.
Olson’s condition is not known but he wrote on Facebook that he cannot speak. That indicates he has had some kind of stroke.
Olson, who serves District T, assumed office in 2001 and his current term four-year term ends in 2029.
The 71-year-old senator first explained it as a medical event on Jan. 27.
“First I’d like to thank those who have lifted me up in prayer over the years,” Olson wrote on Facebook. “I suffered a medical event in Juneau and I put my guardian angels to the test. I received quick care and am well on the road to recovery.”
On Jan. 5, he updated his recovery plans, and it was then he indicated he has a speech impairment related to the medical event: “I can’t chat right now – so if you ever wanted to give me a piece of your mind uninterrupted – now is the time. I’m getting specialized care at Shirley Ryan in Chicago. I am part of an intensive out patient program and therapy called Constraint Induced Language Therapy. My staff Kelly, Almeria and Liz are ready to help you and I encourage you to please meet with them while you are in Juneau. I will be back with you all very soon. I am grateful for the positive thoughts, prayers, flowers, cookies, meals and support.”
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is the leading provider of rehabilitation services for stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury patients in the country.
Olson is a medical doctor, pilot, reindeer herder, and businessman who was born in Nome and is a lifelong resident of Golovin. Married to Willow Olson, he is the father of seven.
As a Democrat senator from rural Alaska, Olson has been a member of both the Republican-led and Democrat-led caucuses and is currently part of the Democrat-dominated caucus; he serves as co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
Last February, Democrat Sen. Matt Claman left Juneau for an undisclosed medical “emergency” but returned a few weeks later. Upon his return, he appeared weakened and having aged considerably, but has continued to serve his Anchorage constituents, having won reelection in November.