Jesse Jackson has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesRev. Jesse Jackson is diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 76.
- Rev. Jesse Jackson has revealed in a letter that he has been seeking care for Parkinson's disease for the last two years.
- He says he has used the diagnosis to make "lifestyle changes" to slow the onset of further symptoms.
- Jackson was a strong voice in the civil rights movement over the decades, and remains active across the country.
CHICAGO (AP) - 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.