
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
An Aide On Upgrading Your FICO rating - 2
Canada's Serene Lakeside Mountain Village Is A Breathtaking Oasis For Outdoor Adventure - 3
Eco-Accommodating Kitchen Machines: 4 Picks for a Manageable Home - 4
Washington state experiences historic flooding as Skagit River hits record high level. See flooding maps, highway closures and forecasts. - 5
US FDA unveils new pathway to approve personalized therapies
4 Jeep Models: Dominating Execution and Flexibility for Each Experience
Oil magnate’s Venezuela detainment spooks industry
Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift
Getting through a Lifelong Change: Individual Examples of overcoming adversity
The Reduced Portage Horse: An Inheritance Reconsidered for Present day Experience
Instructions to Warmly greet Discretion and Thoughtfulness
The Force of Care: Living with Goal
2025 among world's three hottest years on record, WMO says
With more Moon missions on the horizon, avoiding crowding and collisions will be a growing challenge













