Jesse Jackson's Parkinson's Revelation Sparks Support on Twitter

Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson leads a small group from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in a protest outside the United Airlines terminal at O'Hare International Airport on April 12, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

By    |   Friday, 17 November 2017 02:46 PM EST ET

The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Friday he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015 and is engaging in aggressive physical therapy.

Jackson, 76, released a letter on Twitter about the diagnosis, saying he's had to make lifestyle changes because of the disease and that he “would rather wear out than rust out.”

The news of his Parkinson’s diagnosis comes just days after a journalist for the website The Root came forward and accused Jackson of sexual harassment at a media event three years ago. 

A spokesman for Jackson said the civil rights activist didn’t remember the incident but “sincerely regrets” any pain he may have caused, NBC Chicago reported.

Twitter users including Sen. Kamala Harris wished Jackson well and offered their support.

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Friday he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015 and is engaging in aggressive physical therapy.
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