Overview
- On Wednesday, July 9, Ward posted a photo and statement saying he now needs a wheelchair more often in public, especially at airports and events.
- He wrote that he can still walk short distances, that he began using a wheelchair about 18 months ago, and that he is not retiring or terminally ill.
- Ward urged fans to say hello if they see him and said he made the announcement to be transparent and to discourage hiding health issues.
- The update comes nearly one year after Black Sabbath’s final reunion concert on July 5, 2025, and the death of bandmate Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025.
- Ward, who turned 78 in May 2026 and co-founded Black Sabbath in 1969, received wide public support for the post and his openness could help reduce stigma around mobility aids and shape how fans and venues respond to accessibility needs.