
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
What loving-kindness meditation is and how to practice it in the new year - 2
Winter storms blanket the East, while the U.S. West is wondering: Where’s the snow? - 3
Interpreter Starts Sobbing as 11-Year-Old Testifies About Last Time He Saw His Mom Before She Was Killed in Missile Strike - 4
Hamas hands over another body in the Gaza Strip - 5
'Supergirl' drops 1st teaser trailer: Watch Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and the return of Krypto the Superdog
The Secret Destinations Amex Says Will Be More Popular Than Bali by 2026
All the ways Marjorie Taylor Greene has shifted her approach lately — and why Trump is 'surprised at her'
Home Plan Tips for Seniors
2023's Best 10 Cell phone Advancements You Can't Miss
Strengthening through Wellness: Individual Preparation Achievement
Favored Chinese Dish: Make Your Determination
Step by step instructions to Streamline Your Dozing Involvement in a Savvy Bed
'All Her Fault' ending explained: The shocking conclusion to the psychological thriller inspired by true events
The Most Enrapturing Authentic Milestones to Visit











