
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
4 Family SUVs: Joining Solace and Style - 2
'Euphoria' releases Season 3 photos with Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and others: See them - 3
When does Spotify Wrapped come out? The music streamer says 'soon.' - 4
From Overpowered to Coordinated: Individual Accounts of Cleaning up - 5
Public Parks in the USA
Avoid Slam: Exploring the Pickup Truck Transformation
Hundreds of Gazans evacuated from Strip for medical treatment - COGAT
37 Things Just Individuals Experiencing childhood during the 80s Will Comprehend
Famous Rough terrain Vehicles for 2024
Signature Scents: A Manual for Outstanding Fragrances
Instructions to Pick the Ideal Pre-assembled Home for Your Necessities
Top 10 Smash hit Computer games of the Year
A volcanic eruption may have catalyzed the plague's arrival in Europe, study suggests
The Best Web-based Courses for Expertise Improvement











