
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
'Dancing with the Stars' semifinals: How to watch Episode 10 tonight, where to stream, who's left and more - 2
3 Must-Change Settings for iPhone Clients: Safeguard Yourself ! - 3
NASA’s Pandora telescope will study stars in detail to learn about the exoplanets orbiting them - 4
Figure out How to Amplify the Resale Worth of Your Kona SUV - 5
Melodic Combination d: A Survey of \Unrecorded Music Energy\ Show
Instructions to Arrange Your Compensation During Medical caretaker Prospective employee meetings
Germany and trade unions kick off tough public-sector wage talks
The Specialty of Cleaning up: Change Your Space and Brain
Remain Fit: Powerful Wellness and Work-out Schedules for a Better You
Flights canceled at 40 U.S. airports: Follow live updates as FAA cuts to air traffic take effect amid government shutdown
Untamed life Safe-havens All over the Planet Offering Remarkable Creature Experiences
Israel kidnaps PIJ terrorist in covert op. in Hamas-controlled Gaza in pursuit of Ran Gvili
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson hospitalized, family requests prayers
Going with Children: Tips for Tranquil Family Get-aways













