Democratic Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who has decided not to seek re-election, is battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.
The recent congressional session took a toll on her, leading to a fall and difficulty speaking.
Despite cognitive abilities being intact, she struggles to communicate verbally.
Like I said when I announced my PSP diagnosis, this disease sucks.
It’s been a difficult journey but I’m working as hard as ever to serve #VA10.
I'm sharing my experience to raise awareness of what PSP is and why it's so important to find a cure. https://t.co/xqx8Iog4or
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) November 18, 2023
Wexton revealed that her colleagues “don’t know what to do with me, because they can’t understand me.”
“I want to try to jump into conversations, and I can’t,” confessed the Democrat.
“Cognitively, I’m just fine. It’s just so frustrating for me to not be able to,” she lamented.
Adding, “It’s not OK. It’s not OK at all. … I’m going to die, which isn’t fair.”
Wexton said that her doctor was confused when she asked if she was medically cleared to run for reelection.
“Why would you want to?”, said Wexton, quoting the doctor.
The National Institutes of Health describes Progressive Supranuclear Palsy as affecting “body movements, walking and balance, and eye movements.”
“The disease usually worsens rapidly and most people with PSP develop severe disability within three to five years of symptom onset. PSP can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, choking, or head injuries from falls,” warns the NIH.
Wexton’s chief of staff advised lawmakers to ask her to repeat herself or write down what she’s saying.
The disease affects body movements, walking, balance, and eye movements, with a rapid decline in health over a few years.
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