
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
A Timeline of Rising Antisemitism in Australia - 2
NAFFIC and Aware to Launch First China-Europe Digital Product Passport - 3
Politics at the table? Drinking the wine you brought? An etiquette expert's Thanksgiving dos and don'ts. - 4
Find the Advantages of Innovative Leisure activities: Supporting Creative mind and Self-Articulation - 5
Ukrainian drones hit all three Baltic States − did Russia redirect them?
Kobe Bryant called this WNBA star the 'Gold Mamba.' She turned his advice to her into a tattoo.
Tear gas and arrests: Iranian regime continues crackdown on protesters amid economic unrest
Embrace Effortlessness: Moderation and Cleaning up Tips
10 Hints for a Fruitful New employee screening
Metropolitan Greatness: The 6 Urban areas for Quality Living in 2024
RFK Jr. wants to scrutinize the vaccine schedule – but its safety record is already decades long
Watch India launch advanced military satellite on rocket's 1st flight since May 2025 failure
Instructions to Pick the Right Dental Embed Trained professional: An Exhaustive Aide
This cafe takes orders in sign language. It's cherished by the Deaf community













