He Almost Died of Polio
In 1951, at the age of 5, Young contracted polio and nearly lost his life. Because the virus is extremely tricky, and symptoms of fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite are easily overlooked, Young was misdiagnosed for quite a while before his hospitalization.
Scott Young, Bob Young, and Neil Young 1993. Source: Twitter
His health deteriorated to the point where he had to re-learn how to walk when he returned home. His brother Bob described him as “trying to get from one part of the living room to another by hanging onto furniture to keep his balance.” Scared and confused, five-year-old Young wondered, “I didn’t die, did I?”