Wendell Young will fully recover from heart emergency, family says

City Council Member Wendell Young is expected to make a full recovery from an acute aortic dissection, a life-threatening emergency, his family said Wednesday. His wife, Kathy Young, told a morning news conference that he is cracking jokes, doing well and would make a full return to council duties. "He needs your prayers ... and also your vote," Kathy Young said, referring to the November election. Young's family said they were caught off guard when he was rushed into emergency surgery last Thursday. He had the same condition that killed actor John Ritter in 2003.