Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) addresses supporters at her reelection campaign kickoff event in Ashburn, Va., on June 20, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced on World Parkinson’s Day on April 11 that she has been diagnosed with the disease but is “feeling good and staying strong.”

The 54-year-old took to Twitter to share a video revealing her diagnosis and the ways in which the disease has impacted her, but insisted she is doing well and urged people not to feel sorry for her.

“If there’s one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that Parkinson’s disease sucks. Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, I’m here to tell you that I’ve come to learn this firsthand. And that’s because I’ve learned that I, too, have Parkinson’s, or what some people call PD for short,” said Wexton, a Democrat.

“I’ve got a positive attitude and I’ve got the strong support of so many family, friends, and loved ones,” Wexton said.

The lawmaker said the disease has primarily impacted her speech and the way her mouth moves, adding that people may notice she speaks faster now.

‘Don’t Feel Sorry for Me’

Wexton, who has since 2019 represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of northern Virginia, said Parkinson’s has also impacted the way she walks and keeps her balance.

Despite the way in which the disease has impacted her, the congresswoman insisted, “Don’t feel sorry for me,” adding that she is working with her doctor on a treatment plan that addresses her symptoms.

Wexton said despite the diagnosis, she has been focusing on legislation in Congress, traveling around her district meeting with her constituents, and visiting local businesses and schools as she normally would.

“I’m not going to let Parkinson’s stop me from being me,” she declared defiantly. “I am confident that as I work with my doctor to get the treatment I need, I can continue being a working mom and an active member of our community... I hope to keep serving you for many years to come.”

“The treatment process is one that involves time and commitment, so you’re going to see me have some good days and some days that are not so good. But I want you to know this: my head and my heart are 100 percent committed to serving the people of Virginia, and especially my constituents in the 10th Congressional District,” she said.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

The congresswoman concluded her video by noting that she is generally a private person when it comes to personal issues, but that she wants to use her platform to bring more awareness to the disease and help bolster resources in the search for a cure.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as tremors or shakes, rigid limbs or muscle stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. As the disease progresses, people may also experience speech difficulties.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease typically develop slowly over years and while there is currently no cure, there are a number of treatments that can help relieve symptoms, such as medications, surgical treatments, and lifestyle adjustments, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

It is not clear what causes the disease, which impacts more than 8 million people across the globe according to the World Health Organization, but researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PD is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States, behind Alzheimer’s disease.

In the United States, where approximately 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD, the cost of treating the disease is estimated to be $14 billion annually.

Wexton is not the only member of Congress to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In 2019, former Rep. José Serrano (D-N.Y.) announced that he was retiring from Congress following a diagnosis, noting that while the disease was not impacting his work, he anticipated that it would eventually take a toll.