The severe illness crippled him, confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

crippled 是动词 cripple 的过去式，cripple 本意是"使跛脚、使残疾"，引申为"严重削弱或损害"。在句中表示疾病导致身体功能严重受损，使他无法正常行走。