
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
Picking the Right Pot for Your Plants: An Aide for Plant Devotees - 2
More loons are filling Maine's lakes with their ghostlike calls - 3
Impact of NIH funding reductions felt in cancer and infectious disease trials - 4
An Extended time of Careful Nurturing: Individual Bits of knowledge on Bringing up Youngsters - 5
The face is familiar, the name might not be. The king of "Hey, it's that guy!' roles is ready to show you his next act.
Manual for extravagance SUVs for seniors
Remarkable Spots for Hot Air Swelling All over The Planet
The Most Encouraging New companies to Look Out For
The most effective method to Execute a Lung-Solid Eating routine After a Cellular breakdown in the lungs Finding
Top 10 Arising Advances That Will Shape What's in store
Denny's is shutting down restaurants around the country. What's behind the closures?
UN chief warns he could refer Israel to ICJ over laws targetting UNRWA
Exploring the Difficulties of Beginning a Family: Individual Experiences
Public mistrust linked to drop in deceased donor organ donations and kidney transplants












