
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
Ariana Grande to host 'Saturday Night Live' Christmas show with Cher as musical guest, returning after nearly 40 years - 2
IDF says up to 90% of Iran’s weapons industry could be hit within days - 3
Broken toilet, T-shirts on windows and collecting saliva: The weirdness of daily life aboard Orion - 4
Why ordering takeout or calling the dog walker might lead to a happier relationship - 5
Nepal’s youngest premier sworn in after releasing new rap song about unity
From Amateur to Master: My Involvement in Photography
I thought I knew the night sky, but what I saw from the Canary Islands left me speechless
A Manual for Pick Dependable Vehicle Rental Administrations For 2024
The Forgotten BMW Coupe That Turned a 5 Series Into Something Far More Exotic
A definitive Burger Confrontation: Which One Rules?
She was moments away from giving birth. The hospital discharged her
The Response Uncovered: Disentangling the Secrets of the Universe
Italy now recognizes the crime of femicide and punishes it with life in prison
I went to Japan during peak cherry blossom season and found an easy way to escape the crowds at popular tourist attractions












