Topline
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she announced in a tweet Tuesday, but the three-term lawmaker said she will not leave office.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced she has Parkinson’s disease.
Key Facts
Wexton, who represents Virginia’s 10th congressional district, shared her diagnosis in a video on Twitter and said the disease has affected how she walks and how she can “keep her balance,” though it has mostly affected her speech in recent months.
She noted that while she may experience “some days that are not so good,” she is “100% committed” to remaining in office.
With her diagnosis, Wexton said she wants to “use my platform to be a voice” for people with Parkinson’s in an effort to “bring greater resources to the search for a cure.”
Big Number
1 million. That’s how many people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. The foundation estimates that 90,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year.
Key Background
Wexton was first elected to represent her suburban northern Virginia district in 2018, defeating former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R), and was most recently re-elected in November in a tight race. She previously served as a state senator for five years and as an attorney and prosecutor for more than two decades, according to her website. Wexton serves on the House Appropriations Committee and Budget Committee.
Tangent
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that can cause unintended or uncontrollable movements like shaking and stiffness and can pose challenges to balance and coordination. The disease typically first develops in people over 60 years old—Wexton is 54—though onset of symptoms and diagnosis are less likely in people under 50. Symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time, as people may have increased difficulty walking or talking. People may also experience some mental or behavioral changes in addition to fatigue, memory deficiency and problems while sleeping. The disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain, preventing the production of the chemical dopamine, which allows portions of the brain and nervous system to coordinate and control body movements.
Futher Reading
Rep. Jennifer Wexton Of Virginia Announces Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis (Washington Post)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/04/11/rep-jennifer-wexton-reveals-parkinsons-diagnosis-but-plans-to-stay-in-office/