
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
Defense Minister Katz finally condemns Jewish extremist violence against Palestinians - 2
Which game do you cherish observing live? Vote! - 3
Instructions to Utilize Your Brain science Certification to Work on Corporate Culture - 4
Artemis II astronauts say they're "ready to go" for moon launch - 5
What we know about the Brown University shooting suspect who was found dead, and how police linked him to the MIT killing
Seven deaths possibly linked to malfunctioning glucose monitors
'The Housemaid' movie with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried premieres this month. What the stars have said about the psychological thriller.
Enormous Credit And All that You Really want To Be aware
Top 10 Smash hit Computer games of the Year
Tech Patterns: Contraptions That Will Shape What's in store
Empathy and reasoning aren’t rivals – new research shows they work together to drive people to help more
The 12 biggest space stories of 2025 — according to you
She's been a Bond girl and a mutant. Now she's grappling with Hollywood's obsession with 'eternal youth.'
My Excursion to Monetary Autonomy: Awesome ways to save cash












