
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 Best Games Crossroads in History - 2
Impact of NIH funding reductions felt in cancer and infectious disease trials - 3
At least 490 protesters killed in Iran, activists say - 4
Nations for Youngsters to Visit - 5
'No middle ground' for tackling antisemitism after Bondi Beach mass shooting, deputy FM Haskel says
Photos: Presidential turkey pardons — a look back
US FDA declines to approve Corcept's drug for rare hormonal disorder
Top 20 Wellbeing and Wellness Applications for a Sound Way of life
Feeling wonder every day improves our health. Here’s how to do it.
Kelsey Grammer on having a new baby at 70: 'You're just more available now'
7 Heavenly Espressos, One Do You Like?
No red, no long shorts: The fashion rules Joe Burrows lives by
Shrewd Home Gadgets to Save Energy
Investigating Design and Individual Style: Track down Your Remarkable Look













