Array
Democratic Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton revealed on Twitter Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but has no plans to step down after being elected to a third term in November.
“If there’s one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that Parkinson’s disease sucks,” the 54-year-old Wexton said about the brain disorder, which affects more than 8 million people.
“Today on World Parkinson’s Day, I’m here to tell you that I have come to learn this firsthand.”
The congresswoman from Virginia’s 10th district said she is “doing well” despite the diagnosis and hopes to remain in office “for many years.”
“I’m not going to let Parkinson’s stop me from being me,” she added. “I hope to keep serving you for many years to come.”
Parkinson’s is not “an untreatable disease, cognitive impairment or death sentence,” she went on.
