Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, has been hospitalized and is under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder he has been managing for nearly a decade.
Jackson was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but doctors confirmed in April that he has progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, according to ABC News. The condition gradually affects movement, balance, and eye coordination, making daily activities increasingly difficult over time.
PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in specific areas of the brain, the National Institutes of Health says. There is currently no cure, but Jackson has continued his public work while managing the symptoms for years.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which Jackson founded, asked the public to keep him in their thoughts. “The family appreciates all prayers at this time,” the organization said. Supporters continue to celebrate his decades-long contributions to civil rights.
A longtime protege of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson became a prominent national civil rights figure. He led the Rainbow PUSH Coalition until 2023 and ran for U.S. president twice. His career has focused on social justice, voter rights, and equality.
SOURCE: blacknews.com