
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
The Main 15 Applications for Efficiency and Association - 2
Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel - 3
Spanish woman, 25, dies by legal euthanasia in case that drew national spotlight - 4
Farmers worry about rising cost of fertiliser - 5
Miley Cyrus flashes a diamond ring on the red carpet, sparking engagement rumors with Maxx Morando: A timeline of their four-year relationship
It's your last chance to subscribe to Paramount+ before they raise their prices: Here's how to lock in current pricing
No respite for German economy as experts slash forecast over Iran war
Woman shocked to welcome baby after experiencing stomach pain on Christmas
Doctor's orders: Eat ice cream, and other tips for a long and healthy life
Gaza amputees struggle to rebuild lives as the enclave faces shortages of prosthetic limbs
Ocean side Locations for a Family Excursion
Israel says soldiers wounded in Gaza fighting amid fragile truce
Dominating the Art of Composing: Creator Bits of knowledge
Health officials report 14 Legionnaires' disease cases in Florida, gym connection suspected












