Jesse Jackson Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease

Jesse Jackson announced today that he has Parkinson’s disease. According to The Washington Post, the 76-year-old civil right’s leader said he found it “increasingly difficult to perform routine tasks.” He also had mobility issues in recent years.

“For me, a Parkinson’s diagnosis is not a stop sign but rather a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression,” Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson mentioned that his family began to notice his health changes about three years ago. He describes Parkinson’s as “a disease that bested my father.”

Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder with no cure. The disease can cause tremors, stiffness and difficulty balancing, walking and coordinating movement. According to CNN, the most common Parkinson’s drug is levodopa. Thus exercise is imperative for patients.