Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) announced on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
“If there’s one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that Parkinson’s Disease sucks,” Wexton, 54, said in a video posted on Twitter.
In the past few months, the disease has primarily affected her speech and how her mouth moves, causing her to speak more quickly, she said. It has also impacted her balance and the way she walks.
While the disease has caused impairments, the Virginia Democrat emphasized that Parkinson’s isn’t a “death sentence” and that she’s working with a doctor to address the symptoms.
“I want to use that platform to be a voice for those struggling with Parkinson’s to help bring better resources to the search for a cure,” she said.
