
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
Countdown to Artemis II: What to know about NASA's moon mission - 2
Governors Ball 2026: Lorde, A$AP Rocky and Stray Kids set to headline - 3
Death toll from floods in Afghanistan rises to 61 - 4
Dominating the Art of Composing: Creator Bits of knowledge - 5
If everyone on Earth sat in the ocean at once, how much would sea level rise?
The most effective method to Look at Medical caretaker Compensations Across Various Clinics
Real time features for Films and Programs
The Starbucks for Life game is back, along with your chance to win a 'Bearista' cold cup. Here's how to get your paws on one.
‘Serving is not just a place’: Bayside Church Granite Bay reimagines annual mission amid conflict in Mexico
6 Popular Ladies' Aromas On the planet
Agios Pharma shares jump as US FDA expands approval for its blood disorder drug
5 High Limit Outer Hard Drives For Information Stockpiling
The ‘Stranger Things’ finale, explained: What happens to Vecna? And why was a key character’s fate left unknown?
Dramatic Dominance d: A Survey of \Feelings in front of an audience\ Theater Play












