Reverend Jesse Jackson is in stable condition and breathing on his own without the assistance of machines, his family has confirmed, contradicting earlier reports that the civil rights leader was on life support.
The 84-year-old was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago last Wednesday for observation and treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition he has managed for over a decade. A family source told CNN that Jackson experienced a significant drop in blood pressure on Saturday night but responded well to medication. His condition has since improved, and he has maintained stable blood pressure without further medication.
Jackson's son, Yusef, stated that his father has returned to work, noting that on Sunday he called 2,000 churches to prepare food baskets for the holiday season. The family expressed gratitude to the medical team and thanked well-wishers for their prayers.
Jackson, a former two-time Democratic presidential candidate, rose to prominence as a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but was confirmed to have PSP in April. There is no known cure for PSP, which affects movement, balance, and eye control, and typically worsens rapidly.
Political figures, including Senator Raphael Warnock and the Reverend Al Sharpton, have offered prayers and support, praising Jackson's lifelong activism and resilience.
