
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
ByHeart baby formula from all lots may be contaminated with botulism bacteria, tests show - 2
Discovery of massive spider's web in Greece reveals unexpected behavior - 3
Procter & Gamble changes Crest toothpaste packaging to address Texas AG fluoride concerns - 4
The Best Games On the planet - 5
Dominating Capable Mastercard Utilization: Key Contemplations
Step by step instructions to Appropriately Keep up with Your Sunlight powered chargers for Most extreme Productivity
Netanyahu leads meeting on West Bank riots, Katz defends axing administrative detention for Jews
Poland identifies two Ukrainian suspects in railway sabotage blast
Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century
Mars orbiter sees 'butterfly' crater spread its wings on the Red Planet
The Ursid meteor shower will be the last of the year, peaking just before Christmas: What to know and how to watch
Instructions to Expand Your Smash 1500's Presentation: Tips and Deceives
Israel says it killed armed Hamas 'terrorists' in Gaza
Munich Security Conference chief defends inviting AfD lawmakers












