Rebecca King-Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, has bravely unveiled her long-standing fight against Parkinson’s disease, a journey she has navigated in silence since 2015. The couple shared their story during a heartfelt segment on the *Today* show, where they discussed King-Crews’ diagnosis and a recent groundbreaking non-invasive surgical procedure aimed at alleviating her symptoms.
A Hidden Struggle
At 60 years old, King-Crews disclosed that the initial signs of Parkinson’s manifested around 2012, beginning with a peculiar numbness in her left foot during workouts. “I just had some light numbness in my left foot,” she recounted. “Then my trainer noticed that my arm does not swing when I walk. I woke up one morning and my hand was shaking. I said, ‘Now that’s a tremor.’”
Despite the alarming symptoms, her journey to diagnosis was far from straightforward. King-Crews expressed frustration as her doctor initially attributed her issues to anxiety, and a neurologist remained uncertain about her condition. “It took three years to diagnose me,” she explained. During this challenging period, she continued to pursue her creative passions, working on a book, an album, and a clothing line.
The Diagnosis and Its Impact
In 2015, after years of uncertainty and mounting symptoms, King-Crews received a formal diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively damages the brain and affects motor functions. The condition leads to a range of symptoms, including tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness, with no known cure available.
King-Crews reflected on her mindset following the diagnosis: “Just keep going. And that’s what I’m going to keep doing. I believe that you don’t lay down and die because you got a diagnosis.” Her determination has become a cornerstone of her advocacy for awareness and treatment options.
New Horizons in Treatment
Recently, King-Crews underwent a pioneering treatment known as bilateral focused ultrasound, which utilises ultrasound waves to target specific brain areas implicated in Parkinson’s symptoms. Guided by MRI technology, this non-invasive procedure aims to offer relief from the debilitating effects of the disease.
Post-treatment, she expressed optimism about her recovery, stating, “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 plans to pursue a second treatment later this year to address lingering symptoms on her left side.
“I’m still figuring it out, to be honest,” King-Crews admitted, acknowledging the complexities of recovery. “You’re improved on one side and not on the other, so it can make you feel a little more aware of the other.”
Raising Awareness and Hope
After a decade of privacy regarding her diagnosis, King-Crews decided to share her story to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and the potential of new medical advancements. “I don’t believe in telling my story just so you can know my story and feel sorry for me,” she stated. “I believe that this procedure and others like it are the new frontier of medicine.”
Her husband, Terry Crews, echoed her sentiments, expressing hope that this innovative treatment could pave the way for future breakthroughs. “To watch her go through what she’s gone through has been very hard,” he said. “When it’s in sickness and health, this is the battle that we were designed to fight together.”
In Canada alone, over 120,000 individuals are living with Parkinson’s disease, as noted by Parkinson Canada. While there is no current cure, treatments and therapies can significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected by the condition.
Why it Matters
Rebecca King-Crews’ journey shines a light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s disease. Her decision to speak out not only fosters a greater understanding of the condition but also highlights the importance of innovative treatments that could change lives. By sharing her story, King-Crews offers hope to countless others battling similar struggles, underscoring the critical need for continued research and support for those impacted by this debilitating disease.
