
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
US FDA panel to weigh bid to market nicotine pouches as lower-risk than cigarettes - 2
The 10 Most Significant Virtual Entertainment Missions - 3
Surging measles cases are 'fire alarm' warning that other diseases could be next - 4
'Euphoria' releases Season 3 trailer, premiere date: Watch Rue and Laurie finally face off - 5
Interpreter Starts Sobbing as 11-Year-Old Testifies About Last Time He Saw His Mom Before She Was Killed in Missile Strike
Crew-11 astronauts undock in 1st-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (video)
5 Great Home Remodel Administrations With Green Arrangements In 2024
Tech for Wellbeing: Applications and Devices for a Better You
UN rights chief: Israel's new Gaza aid agency rules 'outrageous'
Falcon 9 rocket launches Starlink satellites before making 550th SpaceX landing (video)
The most effective method to Pick the Ideal Lab Precious stone Wedding band
Can scientists detect life without knowing what it looks like? Research using machine learning offers a new way
The most effective method to Settle on Informed Conclusions about Senior Insuranc.
Instructions to Explore the Universe of Vehicle Leases












