The Rev. Jesse Jackson was discharged Tuesday from rehab at the Northwestern-affiliated Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he had spent over three weeks, following an undisclosed illness and surgery.
The 79-year-old founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, who was hospitalized for eight days in January, disclosed he had been unable to walk when transferred to rehab on Feb. 6.
“When I entered the rehab center, I was unable to walk. Today, I walked out returning home, and work strengthened. I look forward to returning to work to continue to make a difference in racial injustices, and I look forward to the next march,” said the civil rights leader.
“Thank you, with an abundance of appreciation and gratitude to the Ryan Rehab staff. They are the best. The doctors, medical team, and therapist have provided me a healthy recovery.”
As first reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, Jackson was admitted to Northwestern on Jan. 29 and later rushed into surgery. The family confirmed the report, indicating it was minor surgery. PUSH subsequently stated the civil rights leader was admitted after experiencing abdominal discomfort and underwent successful surgery.
Calls of best wishes had flowed in to the hospital from far and wide, including from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
PUSH had not responded to inquiries from the Chicago Sun-Times last week and earlier this week about their founder’s health and expected duration of rehab until Tuesday’s press announcement.
