In a candid interview on the *Today* show, Rebecca King-Crews, wife of actor Terry Crews, disclosed her long-standing struggle with Parkinson’s disease, a condition she has been secretly managing since 2015. The couple shared insights into her diagnosis journey and introduced a promising non-invasive surgical procedure that aims to alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms associated with this neurological disorder.
A Decade of Silent Struggle
At 60 years old, King-Crews revealed that the initial signs of Parkinson’s emerged as early as 2012, beginning with a peculiar numbness in her left foot during workouts. “About 2012, I just had some light numbness in my left foot. Then my trainer noticed that my arm does not swing when I walk,” she recalled. This progressive condition, characterised by tremors and stiffness, took years to diagnose, as the fashion designer faced numerous hurdles in her quest for answers.
“My doctor thought I was having anxiety, and the neurologist wasn’t sure what was going on,” she explained. After three years of persistent symptoms and frustration, she finally received her diagnosis in 2015. “No disrespect to him, but I asked for referrals and I got them,” she stated emphatically. Despite the challenges, King-Crews continued to pursue her passions, working on a book, an album, and a clothing line during her diagnostic ordeal.
Innovative Treatment Brings Hope
King-Crews recently underwent a groundbreaking procedure known as bilateral focused ultrasound, which has shown promising results in managing her symptoms. This non-invasive treatment utilises ultrasound waves targeted at specific brain areas, guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to alleviate movement-related symptoms.
“I feel good. I’m able to write my name and my dates, and I’m able to write with my right hand for the first time in probably three years,” she shared, expressing her optimism. “I can do a port de bras on my right leg, balancing on that leg.” Although she is still in recovery, the initial outcomes of the procedure have been encouraging, with King-Crews set to undergo a second treatment in September to address additional symptoms.
Raising Awareness and Encouraging Hope
King-Crews chose to share her story now in the hope of raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects over 120,000 individuals in Canada alone. “I don’t believe in telling my story just so you can know my story and feel sorry for me. I really believe that this procedure and others like it are the new frontier of medicine,” she asserted.
The couple is keen to advocate for more widespread access to such treatments, which can be prohibitively expensive and are not yet covered by health insurance. “I’m excited about the possibility,” she added. “I felt that I wanted to potentially make it more available to others because it’s an expensive surgery — it’s not covered yet — to just give hope to people with Parkinson’s, because I believe that we’re going to find a cure.”
Terry Crews, visibly emotional as he spoke about his wife’s journey, expressed hope that this treatment could signal a new beginning in the search for a cure. “To watch her go through what she’s gone through over the last 10 to 12 years has been very, very hard,” he shared. “To watch her write her name for the first time in three years, I don’t know what to say.”
Why it Matters
Rebecca King-Crews’ story is a poignant reminder of the resilience many face while navigating chronic health conditions. By shedding light on her personal battle with Parkinson’s disease and advocating for emerging treatment options, she not only inspires hope for others living with similar diagnoses but also underscores the urgent need for continued research and improved healthcare access. As awareness grows, so too does the potential for revolutionary treatments that could change the lives of countless individuals affected by Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.
