
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
Best Pizza Beating: What's Your #1?01.01.1 - 2
Exploring the Mind boggling Universe of Connections: Individual Bits of knowledge25.09.2023 - 3
From Exemplary to Current: Famous Rings Available06.06.2024 - 4
New Year's superstitions: Eating 12 grapes, avoiding laundry and other rituals that are said to bring good fortune31.12.2025 - 5
Scientist turns people’s mental images into text using ‘mind-captioning’ technology14.11.2025
What's Your #1 Pizza Beating Mix?
Top 20 Wellbeing and Wellness Applications for a Sound Way of life
Pick Your #1 Sort Of Espresso
Europe's powerful Ariane 6 rocket launches Sentinel-1D Earth-observation satellite to orbit (video)
6 Solid Moving Administrations for a Calm Movement
Discovery of massive spider's web in Greece reveals unexpected behavior
Step by step instructions to Utilize Open Record Rewards for Your Potential benefit
Netflix's Eddie Murphy documentary explains 'Saturday Night Live' beef: 'That's why I didn't go back for years'
Getting breast implants was a mistake I live with every day. Why I’m sharing my story now, at 70, in pain and afraid.












