
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
A single shot of HPV vaccine may be enough to fight cervical cancer, study finds - 2
The most effective method to Decide the Best Auto Crash Attorney for Your Lawful Necessities - 3
Vote In favor of Your Favored Sort Of Bevarage - 4
4 Energy-Proficient Clothes washers to Consider in 2024 - 5
Reveal Less popular Authentic Realities You Didn't Learn in School
The risk of falling space junk hitting airplanes is on the rise, experts warn
Louisiana seeks California doctor’s extradition, testing the limits of shield laws
80 km. on foot: Sharren Haskel’s three-day march in protest of haredi draft bill
See the moon shine with Saturn in the southern sky after sunset Dec. 26
How to get tickets for AC/DC's 2026 'Power Up' Tour
Tens of thousands protest as far-right AfD forms new youth group
The most effective method to Oversee Unsold SUVs in the Car Business
Katz alleges Army Radio workers misled High Court in bid to halt closure
How Mars' ancient lakes grew shields of ice to stay warm as the Red Planet froze













