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Renowned civil rights advocate Rev. Jesse Jackson has been discharged from the hospital following a recent admission for health monitoring, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition confirmed on Monday.
Rev. Jackson was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital on November 13 for observation due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurological disorder. Initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, his condition was re-evaluated and updated to PSP in April, as stated by the Chicago-based civil rights organization. PSP often manifests with symptoms that closely resemble those of Parkinson’s disease.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition has assured that Jackson is currently “in stable condition.”
Despite revealing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2017, Rev. Jackson has remained active in public life, notably attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The former two-time presidential candidate stepped down in 2023 from his leadership role at Rainbow PUSH, passing the torch to his son, Yusef Jackson, who assumed the position of chief operating officer last year.
After disclosing the Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017, Jackson continued to make public appearances, including at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The two-time presidential candidate stepped down as leader of his Rainbow PUSH organization in 2023 and his son, Yusef Jackson, took over as chief operating officer last year.
The elder Jackson has been using a wheelchair and continued going into the office regularly until months ago, family members said.
In recent months, his relatives, including sons U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson and Jesse Jackson Jr., a former Illinois congressman seeking reelection, have been providing 24-hour care in shifts.
The reverend has struggled to keep his eyes open and is unable to speak. But he has found ways to communicate with family and friends who visit, his son Jesse Jackson Jr. told The Associated Press last month.
“He’ll squeeze your hand,” he said.
What is progressive supranuclear palsy?
Progressive supranuclear palsy, known as PSP, is a rare neurological disorder that affects walking, balance, eye movements and swallowing.
According to the Mayo Clinic, PSP results from the damage of cells in areas of the brain that control body movement, coordination, thinking and other essential functions. The condition worsens over time and can lead to complications such as pneumonia and trouble swallowing.
There is currently no cure for PSP, though treatments can help manage symptoms.
The disorder, which affects people in their late 60s and 70s, is also called Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, the Mayo Clinic notes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
