Trendpills
Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson was hospitalized in Chicago on Wednesday for observation and management of a long-standing neurodegenerative condition. His organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, confirmed in a statement that the 84-year-old activist is "currently under observation" at a medical center. The admission is part of his ongoing treatment for an illness he has been managing for many years.
The hospitalization is directly related to Jackson's battle with a rare brain disorder. He was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017, a condition known to affect movement. However, his diagnosis was later updated to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a more aggressive neurological disorder. This rare condition known as PSP can cause serious problems with walking, balance, swallowing, and eye movements. According to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Jackson has been dealing with the effects of a neurodegenerative condition for over a decade.
A two-time presidential candidate and a key disciple of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson has remained a pivotal figure in American politics and social justice. Updates on his health status were shared by his organization, which he founded in 1996 to continue the work of advancing civil rights. The statement did not provide specific details on his current condition or the expected duration of his hospital stay but emphasized it was for continued management of the illness.
Even while requiring significant care at home, Jackson has continued his advocacy. His long public battle with his health has not stopped him from making public appearances and speaking out on critical issues. Friends, colleagues, and supporters from across the nation have expressed their well wishes for the revered leader, who has been a prominent voice for equality and justice for over six decades. The Jackson family and his organization have requested privacy as he receives medical treatment. His son, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, has also been involved in communicating updates about his father's health.
