Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Released from Hospital, Continues Fight with PSP
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, was discharged from Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Monday, according to the Rainbow PUSH Association. He had been receiving care for blood pressure management and continues to live with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder.
Jackson, 84, remains in stable condition and has returned to a private residence, a source confirmed. the news comes as a relief to supporters who have offered an outpouring of well wishes during his recent hospitalization.
“Our family would like to thank the countless friends and supporters who have reached out,visited,and prayed for our father,” saeid Yusef Jackson,son and family spokesperson. “We bear witness to the fact that prayer works and would also like to thank the professional, caring, and amazing medical and security staff at Northwestern Memorial hospital. We humbly ask for your continued prayers throughout this precious time.”
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition previously stated that Jackson has been managing a neurodegenerative condition for over a decade. Initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he received a confirmed diagnosis of PSP last April. Despite the challenges posed by the illness,Jackson has remained engaged with his life’s work. A statement released on November 16 indicated he was breathing independently and not reliant on life support, though a separate source noted medication to manage his blood pressure was considered a form of life support.
During his hospital stay, Jackson demonstrated his enduring commitment to community service, reportedly calling for 2,000 churches to prepare 2,000 baskets of food to combat malnutrition during the upcoming holiday season.
Jackson’s influence on American society is profound. Rising to national prominence as a close aide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, he stepped into a leadership role following king’s assassination in 1968. He founded Operation PUSH in 1971, dedicated to improving the economic conditions of black communities across the United States. Later,in 1984,he established the National rainbow Coalition,advocating for equal rights for all Americans. These two organizations ultimately merged in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, continuing Jackson’s legacy of advocacy and empowerment.
PSP, as defined by the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is a rare condition affecting movement, balance, and eye coordination. Typically emerging in individuals in their 60s, it shares some symptoms with parkinson’s disease but frequently enough leads to severe disability within three to five years.
Further details regarding Jackson’s condition have not been disclosed, but his release from the hospital marks a positive step as he continues his battle with PSP and his lifelong dedication to social justice.
Why: Jesse Jackson was hospitalized for blood pressure management while continuing to battle progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
Who: The reverend Jesse jackson, 84, a prominent civil rights leader, was the subject of this report. His family, particularly son Yusef Jackson, and the Rainbow PUSH Organization provided statements.
What: Jackson was discharged from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is now recovering at a private residence. He continues to live with PSP, a rare neurological disorder.
How did it end?: Jackson’s hospitalization concluded with his discharge, and he is now focusing on recovery and continuing his advocacy work, even initiating a call for community food drives during his stay. His condition remains stable, though he continues to manage PSP and blood pressure.
