Rebecca King-Crews, a fashion designer and wife of actor Terry Crews, has bravely disclosed that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2015. In a heartfelt interview on the Today show, the couple discussed her diagnosis and the promising results of a new non-invasive surgical treatment aimed at alleviating her symptoms, which primarily impact motor function.
A Journey of Discovery
At 60 years old, King-Crews first noticed signs of Parkinson’s around 2012, initially experiencing 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 recounted. The situation escalated when she woke up one morning to find her hand shaking, a clear sign of a tremor that reminded her of her grandmother’s struggles.
Despite these alarming symptoms, King-Crews faced a prolonged journey to diagnosis. Initially dismissed as anxiety by her doctor, it took three years and multiple referrals before she received confirmation of her condition in 2015. “No disrespect to him, but I asked for referrals and I got them,” she explained. “It took three years to diagnose me.”
Embracing Life Amidst Challenges
Throughout her diagnosis process, King-Crews maintained her ambitious spirit, continuing to work on a book, an album, and a fashion line. “Just keep going. And that’s what I’m going to keep doing,” she affirmed. “I believe that you don’t lay down and die because you got a diagnosis.”
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the gradual deterioration of brain function, leading to symptoms such as tremors, slowed movement, and muscle stiffness. Currently, there is no cure, but treatment options exist to help manage the disease.
Innovative Treatment Provides Hope
Recently, King-Crews underwent a bilateral focused ultrasound treatment, a non-invasive procedure that utilises ultrasound waves to target specific areas of the brain associated with movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. The treatment is guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to ensure precision.
“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 after the procedure. “So I’m seeing improvement in my symptoms. I’m still in recovery. They say it’s about three months of recovery. As you recover, you see more improvement.”
King-Crews is set to undergo a second procedure in September to further address symptoms on her left side. “I’m still figuring it out, to be honest, because part of the procedure is to improve symptoms,” she noted, highlighting the ongoing journey of managing her health.
Raising Awareness for Parkinson’s
King-Crews chose to publicly share her experience after nearly a decade of keeping her diagnosis private, aiming to raise awareness about the realities of living with Parkinson’s. “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 hope that this innovative treatment could signal a new beginning for those battling the disease. “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,” he shared. Their deep bond and commitment to supporting each other through this challenging journey reflect a profound partnership that has endured for nearly 37 years.
Why it Matters
The struggles faced by King-Crews underscore the critical need for increased awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 120,000 individuals in Canada alone. While there is no definitive cure, advancements in treatment options like the bilateral focused ultrasound offer hope for improved quality of life for those grappling with this condition. By sharing her story, King-Crews not only illuminates the challenges of living with Parkinson’s but also inspires others to advocate for better treatment and understanding in the medical community.
