Rev. Jesse Jackson discloses Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

The Rev. Jesse Jackson says he’s been seeking outpatient care for two years for Parkinson’s disease and plans to “dedicate” himself to physical therapy.

In a Friday letter to supporters, the 76-year-old says family and friends noticed a change in him about three years ago and he could no longer ignore symptoms.

He says the diagnosis isn’t a sign to stop working but a “signal” to make “lifestyle changes” to slow progression of the chronic neurological disorder that causes movement difficulties.

The civil rights icon also released a Northwestern Medicine letter saying he was diagnosed in 2015 and has sought outpatient care.

Jackson runs the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. He’s remained a strong voice in anti-discrimination efforts, including advocating for affordable housing, and been a fixture at protests nationwide.

Jackson declined further comment Friday.

Jackson was in North Carolina in October for homecoming at N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro, where he graduated in 1964. While in the state, he came to Raleigh to speak at the annual conference of the NAACP and spent more than an hour talking to editors and a reporter at the News & Observer.

Jackson moved haltingly during his visit to the news office, but was as sharp and commanding a speaker as ever. His voice was soft but his words fluid as he spoke on a range of subjects, recalling dozens of historical events and connecting them to current issues such as voting rights, religious freedom and the need for historically black colleges and universities to connect to the tech industry.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Rev. Jesse Jackson discloses Parkinson’s disease diagnosis."