Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson, 84, Hospitalized, Under Observation For Rare Neurological Disorder

According to the statement released by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the civil rights leader has been battling a rare neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Civil rights leader and former US presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, has been hospitalized, the announcement was confirmed by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Wednesday.

What Happened To Jesse Jackson?

According to the statement released by the organization, the civil rights leader has been battling a rare neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

The memo read, "He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade. He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time."

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a protege of Rev Martin Luther King Junior. The 84-year-old leader began his activism in the 1960s, during the peak time of the Civil Rights Movement.

What Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)?

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurological disorder that can affect your body's ability to find balance while walking, including eye movements.

This disorder is typically caused when your nerve cells get damaged in the areas of the brain that control your way of thinking and body movements.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) this neurological condition is a family of Parkinsonism and belongs to the category of frontotemporal disorders.

Jesse Jackson Battles Parkinson's Disease

The health condition of the 84-year-old civil rights leader drew public attention in 2017 when he opened up about struggling with parkinson's, a condition that is characterzsed by tremor, stiffness and impaired movement. At the time, Jesse Jackson wrote in a statement, "My family and I began to notice changes about three years ago."

He further added that he considered the diagnosis a "hope" but the symptoms were "painful", while noting parkinson's was the disease "that bested my father". In his words, "a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease's progression."

At the front of his work line - civil rights movement, Jesse Jackson announced his retirement as the president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in July 2013. He was later succeeded by Rev. Frederick Douglas Haynes III.