Rep. Jennifer Wexton, 54, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and revealed Tuesday that she plans to continue working in Congress “for years to come.”
Wexton, the Democratic representative for Virginia’s 11th congressional district, said her disability largely affected her speeches.
“If there’s one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that Parkinson’s is the worst.
“You may find that I speak faster. It also affects how I walk and balance,” she said.
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Wexton, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican Barbara Comstock, won reelection in 2022 with Hong Cao winning 53% of the vote.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton speaks at an event in Manassas, Virginia. (Pete Keyhart/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I’m fine,” Wexton said. “I have a positive attitude and have the strong support of many family, friends and loved ones.”
“Not Parkinson’s is not an incurable disease, cognitive impairment, or a death sentence,” she continued. No, I am working with my doctor on a treatment plan to address my symptoms.”
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According to the National Institutes of Health, Parkinson’s disease has four main symptoms: tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and balance problems, which often lead to falls.
According to a recent Parkinson Foundation-funded study in 2022, about 90,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, an increase of about 50% from previous estimates of prevalence.
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![Rep. Jennifer Wexton speaks at a celebration of the opening of a new subway station at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/04/640/320/GettyImages-1244841355-e1681220899996.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Rep. Jennifer Wexton speaks at a celebration of the opening of a new subway station at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia. (Eric Lee of The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Wexton insisted he maintains legislative responsibility, but said there are ups and downs.
“The healing process is something that takes time and dedication, so some days will be good and some days won’t,” Wexton said. “But I want you to know this. My head. And my heart is 100% committed to serving the people of Virginia, especially voters in the 10th Congressional District.
According to the NIH, most people with Parkinson’s disease develop after the age of 60, and research shows that men may be at higher risk than women.
Fox News’ Shiv Sudhakar and Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.