
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was hospitalized on Wednesday and is under observation for a neurodegenerative condition, his organization, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, said in a statement.
Jackson, 84, has been managing the condition, called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), for over a decade, according to the organization he founded.
“He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed,” the organization said. “The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”
The disorder damages certain areas of the brain and affects a person’s walking, swallowing, balance and eye movements, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition worsens over time and can lead to dangerous complications, including trouble swallowing and pneumonia.
The disease typically affects people over the age of 60, and symptoms can mimic those of Parkinson’s.
There is no cure for the disease, but treatment options to help with symptoms include physical and occupational therapy, Botox, antidepressants, eyeglasses with prism or bifocal lenses, and Parkinson’s disease medications.
In a 2017 statement following news of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Jackson said that his family began noticing symptoms three years prior and that his father also had the disease.
Jackson became a civil rights icon in the 1960s, participating in marches alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and playing a pivotal role in movements for equality and justice. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Bill Clinton in August 2000.
Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984. It merged with Operation PUSH in September 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LATEST POSTS
- 1
The Best 10 Innovation Developments of the Year - 2
Which Film Has the Incomparable Melodic Score? - 3
Choosing the Ideal Bed for Quality Rest and Solace - 4
Study reveals how fast weight returns after ending GLP-1 drugs - 5
Phonetic Associations: A Survey of \Interfacing Worldwide People group\ Language Trade Application
Reconnecting with an old friend is a story of distance, loss and rediscovery
Change Your Physical make-up: Compelling Activities for Muscle Building
Artemis will take Americans to the moon for the 1st time since 1972. Why has it been so hard to go back?
Figure out How to Use the Experience of a Fender bender Legal counselor for Your Potential benefit
Turning into a Distributed Writer: My Composing Process
Protest inspired by 'Gen Z' movement draws few young people in Mexico and many government critics
Minnesota jury says Johnson & Johnson owes $65.5 million to woman with cancer who used talcum powder
Falcon 9 rocket launches Starlink satellites before making 550th SpaceX landing (video)
Help Your Insusceptibility: Good dieting and Way of life Tips













