
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
RFK Jr. says fewer flu shots for kids may be 'better.' What experts say. - 2
If evolution is real, then why isn’t it happening now? An anthropologist explains that humans actually are still evolving - 3
Popular Home Rug Series For You - 4
Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position - 5
Heavenly Pastry Confrontation: Pick Your #1 Sweet Treat!
Astronaut on ISS captures spectacular orbital video of zodiacal light, auroras and the Pleiades
Exploiting Unsold Rams: May Be Less expensive Than You Suspect
Doctors say changes to US vaccine recommendations are confusing parents and could harm kids
Taco Bell debuts its Baja Blast pie, and the reactions may surprise you
RSF attack on Sudan’s South Kordofan kills at least 14, including children
Extravagance SUVs for Seniors: Solace, Innovation, and Security
A Pompeii site reveals the recipe for Roman concrete. It contradicts a famous architect’s writings
Two Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in explosion in Lebanon
Excelling at Cash The board: A Manual for Monetary Essentials













