
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
Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position - 2
Limited Rain Chances in Brazil Boost Coffee Prices - 3
Nitty gritty Manual for Picking Agreeable Tennis shoes - 4
Russia patents space station designed to generate artificial gravity - 5
6 Hints to Upgrade Your Charm, In addition to Your Mentality
The ‘Stranger Things’ finale, explained: What happens to Vecna? And why was a key character’s fate left unknown?
From Modesty to Administration: Self-improvement in Interactive abilities
Mystery foot suggests a second early human relative lived alongside Lucy
Dark matter may be made of pieces of giant, exotic objects — and astronomers think they know how to look for them
7 Well known Vacation spots In The US
Well known Tea Brands for Each Tea Sweetheart
'War is not over': Detailed diagrams of prisons found in cells of Oct. 7 terrorists
An eye for an eye: People agree about the values of body parts across cultures and eras
What’s your chronotype? Knowing whether you’re a night owl or an early bird could help you do better on tests and avoid scams













