
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
Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 13 people near Palestinian refugee camp18.11.2025 - 2
CDC vaccine panel votes to remove universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendation05.12.2025 - 3
I thought I knew the night sky, but what I saw from the Canary Islands left me speechless07.01.2026 - 4
Mississippi Insight for Jan. 11, 202610.01.2026 - 5
Step by step instructions to Choose the Right Auto Crash Legal counselor for Your Case19.10.2023
Human evolution’s biggest mystery has started to unravel. How 2025 tipped the scales
Hilary Duff releases 'Mature,' her 1st song in 10 years
21 Things You Ought to Never Tell Your Childless Companion
Warnings rise for U.S. as severe flu strain causes outbreaks in Canada, U.K.
Manual for Purchasing a Modest Jeep Wrangler for Seniors
Photos of amputees in Gaza, struggling to survive after losing limbs to Israeli airstrikes
Find the Specialty of Calligraphy: Dominating the Exquisite Art of Penmanship
6 Natural products High In Vitamins,Which One Do You Like to Eat
Discovery of ancient pleasure boat reveals Egypt's maritime history













