
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
Five EU states press for windfall taxes on fossil energy sector - 2
Fisherman Attacked by Great White Shark Says ‘My Left Foot Was in His Mouth’ - 3
Top 20 Wellbeing and Wellness Applications for a Sound Way of life - 4
'Stranger Things' Season 5: What's going on with Will Byers? That shocking Volume 1 plot twist, explained. - 5
Former IRGC child executioner tells ‘Post’ how he became devout Christian dissident
Whale stranded off Germany for days is stuck again
Northern lights chances rise for Christmas as space weather remains unsettled
Involved Vehicles for Seniors: Track down the Best Picks for Solace and Unwavering quality
AI is making spacecraft propulsion more efficient – and could even lead to nuclear-powered rockets
Greenland’s melting ice and landslide-prone fjords make the oil and minerals Trump is eyeing dangerous to extract
25 of the world’s best sandwiches
'The Housemaid' movie with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried premieres this month. What the stars have said about the psychological thriller.
An Aide On Upgrading Your FICO rating
The most effective method to Pick the Right Old Consideration Administration: Key Contemplations












