
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
Compassion and Association: Building Significant Connections - 2
Instructions to Arrange Your Compensation During Medical caretaker Prospective employee meetings - 3
Find the Techniques for Powerful Review Propensities: Opening Your Scholarly Potential - 4
6 Useful Home Espresso Machines - 5
1st human missions to Mars should hunt for signs of life, report says
3D Printers for Specialists
America's Confided in Cooler in 2024
Monetary Freedom Guide: Plan Your Future
Find the Effect of Web-based Entertainment on Psychological wellness: Exploring the Advanced Scene Securely
As reefs vanish, assisted coral fertilization offers hope in the Dominican Republic
Pick Your #1 Japanese Food
BHP liable for 2015 Brazil mine disaster: UK court
How did this 20-light-year-wide 'Diamond Ring' form in space? Maybe a cosmic bubble burst
What are parents to do as doctors clash with Trump administration over vaccines?













