The Three Shocking Reasons Abby Lee Miller Is In A Wheelchair: 2024 Health Update

The question of why *Dance Moms* star Abby Lee Miller is in a wheelchair is a complex one, involving a devastating cancer diagnosis, a rare spinal infection, and a controversial claim about her time in federal prison. As of late 2025, the reality television personality remains paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, a life-altering change that began with a health crisis in 2018.

The most recent and shocking development in her ongoing health saga, however, is a June 2024 lawsuit against a prominent Los Angeles hospital, alleging medical malpractice that she claims caused years of pain and discomfort.

Abby Lee Miller: Full Biography and Profile

Abigale "Abby" Lee Miller is an American dance instructor, choreographer, author, and reality television personality, best known as the founder of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) and the demanding star of Lifetime's hit series, *Dance Moms*.

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• Full Name: Abigale Lee Miller
• Date of Birth: September 21, 1965
• Age (as of late 2025): 60
• Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Education: Penn Hills High School
• Occupation: Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Studio Owner, TV Personality, Author
• Key Career Highlights:
  • Founded the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) in 1980.
  • Starred on *Dance Moms* (2011–2019).
  • Hosted *Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition* (2012–2013).
• Legal Issues: Served a prison sentence in 2017 for bankruptcy fraud.

The Medical Crisis: Burkitt Lymphoma and Spinal Cord Compression

The primary, confirmed medical reason for Abby Lee Miller's use of a wheelchair stems from a terrifying and rapid-onset health crisis that began shortly after her release from federal prison in 2018.

The Initial Diagnosis

In April 2018, Miller underwent emergency spinal surgery, initially believed to be for a severe spinal infection. However, doctors soon diagnosed her with a much more serious condition: Burkitt lymphoma.

Burkitt lymphoma is an extremely rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that affects the white blood cells.

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Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Compression

The cancer had manifested as a mass that was rapidly growing and causing spinal cord compression. This compression of the nerves around the spine is what ultimately led to her paralysis.

Following the diagnosis, Miller underwent a 10-hour emergency laminectomy—a complex surgical procedure to remove the tumor—and began an intense regimen of chemotherapy and radiation.

The damage caused by the tumor and the subsequent surgeries left her paraplegic, meaning she lost the ability to use her lower body. The once-dominant dance coach was now permanently reliant on a wheelchair for mobility.

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The Controversial Claims: Prison Time and Withheld Medication

While the medical community points to Burkitt lymphoma and spinal cord compression as the definitive cause of her paralysis, Abby Lee Miller herself has repeatedly offered a different narrative, directly linking her condition to her time in prison.

Allegations Against FCI Victorville

Miller served a 259-day sentence at FCI Victorville in California for bankruptcy fraud. She claims that during her incarceration, she was denied or withheld necessary medication for her existing health conditions, which she believes exacerbated her overall health and led to the rapid progression of her spinal issues.

"That's why I'm in a wheelchair, because in prison I was punished," she stated in an interview.

This claim suggests the lack of proper medical care in the correctional facility prevented an earlier diagnosis or treatment, allowing the tumor to grow and cause irreversible damage to her spinal cord. This remains a highly debated and unproven factor in her medical history.

The Latest Update: The 2024 'Retained Catheter' Lawsuit

In a major and very recent development, Abby Lee Miller filed a lawsuit in June 2024 against Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. This lawsuit introduces a new layer of complexity and alleged negligence to her medical saga.

The Foreign Object Allegation

The lawsuit alleges that after one of her initial spinal surgeries—which was part of her treatment for the cancer—a surgical instrument, specifically a "retained catheter," was left inside her body.

Miller claims that this foreign object remained in her body for years, causing her chronic and severe pain that doctors repeatedly dismissed. It was only during a CT scan for a separate health issue in June 2024 that the alleged retained catheter was discovered.

She is now suing the hospital for medical malpractice, seeking damages for the pain, suffering, and additional medical complications she endured due to the alleged oversight. This legal action highlights the ongoing and often painful challenges she faces well after her initial cancer battle.

Life After Paralysis: Hope and Reality

Despite being wheelchair-bound, Miller has remained active in the dance world and on television. She returned to the *Dance Moms* franchise for a period and has been open about her struggles and her fight to regain mobility.

• Rehabilitation: She has undergone extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, often sharing her progress on social media.
• Hope to Walk: Miller has expressed a strong desire and commitment to walking again, even taking a few assisted steps in highly publicized interviews.
• Cancer-Free Status: As of recent updates, Miller is considered cancer-free, having successfully completed her chemotherapy treatments for the Burkitt lymphoma.

Abby Lee Miller's journey from reality TV star to a patient battling a rare, aggressive cancer and subsequent paralysis is a story of resilience, but also one marked by controversy and ongoing legal battles. The definitive reason she is in a wheelchair is the devastating effect of the Burkitt lymphoma on her spinal cord, a fact now complicated by claims of medical negligence both in prison and in the hospital. Her current status remains a testament to her ongoing fight for health and justice.