‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor Steven W. Bailey reveals he was diagnosed with congenital myasthenic syndrome, a rare neuromuscular disorder, over five years ago.<\/b>
\n\u00ab\u00a0Grey’s Anatomy\u00a0\u00bb actor Steven W. Bailey revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder.
In an \u00ab\u00a0open letter\u00a0\u00bb that he posted in a thread on X, the 54-year-old actor, who played Joe, the owner of the fictional Emerald City Bar frequented by the hit show\u2019s main characters during seasons one through seven, shared that he is battling congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) after being diagnosed more than five years ago.
\u00ab\u00a0I\u2019ve spent years being cautious, private, and quiet about something that has been shaping my life and my work\u00a0\u00bb, Bailey began. \u00ab\u00a0That time is over.\u00a0\u00bb
He continued, \u00ab\u00a0It\u2019s the darndest thing, but it turns out I have a rather rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. Weird, right? It\u2019s called Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome.\u00a0\u00bb
CMS is a \u00ab\u00a0group of rare hereditary conditions caused by a gene change that results in muscle weakness, which worsens with physical activity\u00a0\u00bb, according to the Mayo Clinic.
\u00ab\u00a0Any muscles used for movement can be affected, including muscles that control speaking, chewing and swallowing, seeing and blinking, breathing, and walking\u00a0\u00bb, the medical center added.
Bailey went on to share why he chose to keep his condition private after he was first diagnosed.
\u00ab\u00a0Out of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and being private about such things in general, I have been hiding my battle with this disease for over five years\u00a0\u00bb, he wrote. \u00ab\u00a0Time to stop.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscle at the \u00ab\u00a0nerve\/muscle junction\u00a0\u00bb\u2026 or whatever doctors call it\u00a0\u00bb, Bailey explained. \u00ab\u00a0There are billions of these junction dodads in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be on the blink. Troublesome, little buggers \u2014 right?\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0The point is: my muscles aren\u2019t clearly receiving all my brain\u2019s orders to do all the swell things muscles are meant to do\u00a0\u00bb, he continued.\u00a0\u00bbIt\u2019s a drag.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0The result being that my hands, arms and legs tire quicker than they should, which makes them weaker than, well \u2026 anticipated\u00a0\u00bb, Bailey added. \u00ab\u00a0Sustained repetitive movements are particularly difficult and can cause my muscles to temporarily tighten and shut down.\u00a0\u00bb
While Bailey joked that his symptoms \u00ab\u00a0often get me out of the chores of doing the dishes and folding laundry in my household\u00a0\u00bb, he noted that \u00ab\u00a0there are also some downsides, too.\u00a0\u00bb
The actor shared that his condition has made walking longer distances and sustained movement increasingly difficult for him.
\u00ab\u00a0I am fortunate that I am currently still able to walk the dog around the block, navigate my home, pop into the store for a quick few items, and the like on my feet\u00a0\u00bb, he wrote. \u00ab\u00a0The truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around.\u00a0\u00bb
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of CMS often begin at birth or early childhood, but mild forms may be diagnosed later. CMS is a lifelong condition and currently has no cure, though medications can help manage symptoms.
Bailey, who has also appeared in other hit TV shows including \u00ab\u00a0Buffy the Vampire Slayer\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Angel\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0NCIS\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Community\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Modern Family\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Scandal\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Shameless\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0Chicago Fire\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0You\u00a0\u00bb, shared how the progression of his disease is affecting his career.
\u00ab\u00a0Professionally, this is changing me as an actor\u00a0\u00bb, he wrote. \u00ab\u00a0Much like walking my dog around the block, or helping at the store, I can still perform on my feet, limitedly.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0I can ambulate my way through simple \u2018walks and talks\u2019 with no problem\u00a0\u00bb, Bailey continued. \u00ab\u00a0I can still rise to my feet to object to the judge, derail a town meeting, or yell at a cop for being a loose cannon.\u00a0\u00bb
However, Bailey explained that he decided to make a shift toward more wheelchair-based roles as a necessary next step.
\u00ab\u00a0Practically speaking, moving forward, it\u2019s time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair, if you will. Passed that time, really\u00a0\u00bb, Bailey admitted. \u00ab\u00a0But now I am here \u2014 done hiding \u2014 with a clear understanding of my disease, wheels firmly beneath me, ready for the next chapter in my life and career.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0I am hopeful that there is still room for me in this industry that I love. I look forward to performing as characters who live their lives with a chair, creating a more representative world in film and television\u00a0\u00bb, he continued.
\u00ab\u00a0And now that I think of it, I don\u2019t need to leap to my feet to object to that judge I mentioned earlier. They\u2019ll hear me\u00a0\u00bb, he added. \u00ab\u00a0And I can derail any town meeting from my chair \u2014 no problem. And as far as loose cannons go \u2014 well, you get the point.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels\u00a0\u00bb, he wrote as he concluded his X thread.<\/p>\n