Rebecca King-Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, has made a courageous revelation about her health, disclosing that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2015. The couple shared their story during a recent appearance on the Today show, where King-Crews spoke about her diagnosis and the promising non-invasive surgical procedure she recently underwent to alleviate her symptoms.
A Hidden Struggle
At 60, King-Crews has faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease for nearly a decade. The initial signs of this debilitating condition emerged around 2012, beginning with a peculiar numbness in her left foot during workouts. “I just had some light numbness in my left foot,” she recalled. “Then my trainer noticed that my arm doesn’t swing when I walk.” This gradual onset culminated in a significant moment when she awoke one morning to find her hand shaking, a clear indicator of a tremor.
Despite her symptoms, King-Crews faced a lengthy journey to diagnosis. Initially, her doctor attributed her issues to anxiety, and it took three long years before she finally received her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015. Reflecting on this frustrating period, she stated, “No disrespect to him, but I asked for referrals and I got them. It took three years to diagnose me.”
An Innovative Treatment Approach
Following her diagnosis, King-Crews maintained an active lifestyle, continuing to work on various projects including a book, an album, and a clothing 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.”
Recently, King-Crews underwent a bilateral focused ultrasound procedure, a groundbreaking non-invasive treatment that targets specific areas of the brain associated with movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. The procedure employs ultrasound waves guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to effectively address the disorder’s symptoms. “I feel good,” she shared post-treatment. “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.”
Looking ahead, King-Crews is set to undergo a second treatment in September, aiming to tackle persistent issues like numbness and tremors on her left side. “I’m still figuring it out,” she admitted, acknowledging the complexities of her recovery journey while expressing hope for further improvements.
Raising Awareness and Inspiring Others
After keeping her diagnosis largely private for a decade, King-Crews has chosen to share her experience to foster greater awareness about Parkinson’s disease. “I don’t believe in telling my story just so you can know my story and feel sorry for me,” she explained. “I really believe that this procedure and others like it are the new frontier of medicine.”
Her husband, Terry Crews, voiced his admiration for her strength and resilience throughout their shared journey. “To watch her go through what she’s gone through over the last 10 to 12 years has been very, very hard,” he expressed. “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.”
With more than 120,000 individuals living with Parkinson’s in Canada, according to Parkinson Canada, King-Crews’ story resonates deeply. While there is currently no cure, effective symptom management through medications and therapies such as physiotherapy can significantly enhance quality of life.
Why it Matters
Rebecca King-Crews’ journey sheds light on the realities of living with Parkinson’s disease, underlining the importance of early diagnosis and innovative treatment options. Her courage to share her story not only raises awareness but also offers hope to others facing similar challenges. As she advocates for more accessible treatments, her voice contributes to a growing conversation about the need for ongoing research and support in the fight against this complex and often misunderstood condition.
