Rebecca King-Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, has bravely revealed that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2015. The couple shared their story during an appearance on the *Today* show, where King-Crews discussed her diagnosis and the promising results of a new non-invasive surgical procedure designed to alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms associated with this neurological condition.
A Hidden Struggle Unveiled
At 60 years old, King-Crews reflected on her journey with Parkinson’s, which began with subtle signs nearly a decade ago. Initially, she experienced numbness in her left foot during workouts around 2012, a symptom that went largely unnoticed until her trainer pointed out an unusual lack of movement in her arm while walking.
“I woke up one morning and my hand was shaking. I said, ‘Now that’s a tremor,'” she recounted. The realisation that something was seriously wrong prompted King-Crews to seek medical advice, but the path to a definitive diagnosis was fraught with challenges. Despite her doctor’s suggestion that she might be experiencing anxiety, it took three years and multiple referrals before she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“It was frustrating,” she admitted. “No disrespect to him, but I asked for referrals and I got them. It took three years to diagnose me.”
A New Hope Through Innovative Treatment
After receiving her diagnosis in 2015, which confirmed the gradual damage to her brain affecting motor functions, King-Crews remained determined to lead a productive life. While navigating her health challenges, she continued to work on various creative projects, including a book, an album, and a clothing line.
“Just keep going. And that’s what I’m going to keep doing,” she asserted. “I believe that you don’t lay down and die because you got a diagnosis.”
Recently, King-Crews underwent a bilateral focused ultrasound, a cutting-edge procedure that uses ultrasound waves guided by MRI to target areas of the brain associated with movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. Following the treatment, she reported significant improvements in her condition.
“I feel good,” King-Crews said. “I’m able to write my name and my dates, and I can write with my right hand for the first time in probably three years.” She expressed optimism for her recovery, noting that the procedure requires about three months for full effects, with further improvements expected.
King-Crews plans to undergo a second procedure in September to address persistent numbness and tremors on her left side. “I’m still figuring it out, to be honest, because part of the procedure is to improve symptoms,” she explained. “So, 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 for Others
Choosing to share her experience publicly now, after nearly a decade of keeping her diagnosis private, King-Crews hopes to raise awareness about Parkinson’s and the innovative treatments available. “I don’t believe in telling my story just so you can know my story and feel sorry for me,” she stated. “I really believe that this procedure and others like it are the new frontier of medicine.”
Her husband, Terry Crews, expressed his admiration for her resilience, stating that the journey has been challenging for both of them. “To watch her go through what she’s gone through over the last 10 to 12 years has been very, very hard,” he said. “To watch her write her name for the first time in three years, I don’t know what to say. I’m choked up just thinking about it.”
As they continue to navigate this journey together, the couple remains hopeful that advancements in treatment could lead to a more promising future for those affected by Parkinson’s.
Why it Matters
King-Crews’ story sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects over 120,000 people in Canada alone. By sharing her journey, she not only personalises the impact of this debilitating illness but also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and innovative treatments. Her advocacy for awareness and hope underscores the need for ongoing research and support, reminding us all that while there may currently be no cure, advancements in medical science hold the potential to improve lives significantly.
