The Rev Jesse Jackson disclosed publicly on Friday that he has 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 civil rights leader and former presidential candidate said family and friends noticed a change in him about three years ago. He said he could no longer ignore symptoms of the chronic neurological disorder that causes movement difficulties.
He noted that the same disease "bested my father". Noah Lewis Robinson Sr died in 1997 at age 88.
He said on Friday in the letter that he is also working on a memoir.
Jackson declined further comment on Friday.