Steven W. Bailey, the actor best known for playing the beloved bartender Joe on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, has publicly revealed he is living with a rare and incurable genetic illness. The 54-year-old announced this week that he has been diagnosed with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), a neuromuscular condition he has privately battled for over five years.
Living with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome
Bailey took to social media to explain his diagnosis in detail. Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a genetic disorder that disrupts communication between nerve and muscle cells. According to medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic, this faulty communication means physical activity leads to progressive muscle weakness.
"CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscle," Bailey wrote. He described how the condition affects him personally: his hands, arms, and legs tire much quicker than expected, and sustained repetitive movements are particularly difficult, often causing his muscles to tighten and shut down temporarily.
A Decision to Stop Hiding
The actor confessed that he kept his neuromuscular condition a secret for more than half a decade due to a combination of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and a general desire for privacy. "Time to stop," he declared, marking the end of his silence.
His symptoms have now progressed to the point where he alternates between walking and using a powered wheelchair to manage daily life. "I am what is referred to as an ambulatory wheelchair user," Bailey explained. "I ambulate some, then I sit, I 'wheelchair' about, ambulate, sit, and then, you know, ambulate." He shared that this new reality has led to some humorous moments, like using his chair in a store but still instinctively standing up to reach a high shelf.
Looking Forward with Hope
Despite the challenges, Bailey is looking to the future with determination and his characteristic wit. He emphasised that he remains the "Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels." Practically, he acknowledges that his professional work, like his life, will now "start skewing more wheelchair."
He expressed a heartfelt hope that the entertainment industry will still have room for him. "I am hopeful that there is still room for me in this industry that I love," he stated. "I look forward to performing as characters who live their lives with a chair, creating a more representative world in film and television."
Bailey, ready for his next chapter, is now "done hiding" and is moving forward with his wheels beneath him, aiming to increase visibility and representation for disabled actors and characters on screen.
