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Wexton (D-VA-10) over the summer was diagnosed with and had been receiving treatment for Parkinson's Disease. However, she recently received a modified diagnosis of Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy, type-p (PSP-P), a form of Atypical Parkinsonism.
As a result, she will serve the remainder of her term in the 118th Congress and not seek reelection. VA-10 is comprised of Fauquier, Loudoun, and Rappahannock counties; parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties; and the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
“When I shared with the world my diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease a few months ago, I knew that the road ahead would have its challenges, and I’ve worked hard to navigate those challenges through consistent treatments and therapies. But I wasn’t making the progress to manage my symptoms that I had hoped, and I noticed the women in my Parkinson’s support group weren’t having the same experience that I was," Wexton said.
"I sought out additional medical opinions and testing, and my doctors modified my diagnosis to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy – a kind of 'Parkinson’s on steroids.'"
In the interest of transparency, Wexton is sharing her struggles of the progressive disease.
"There is no ‘getting better’ with PSP. I’ll continue treatment options to manage my symptoms, but they don’t work as well with my condition as they do for Parkinson’s," she said.
“I’m heartbroken to have to give up something I have loved after so many years of serving my community. But taking into consideration the prognosis for my health over the coming years, I have made the decision not to seek reelection once my term is complete and instead spend my valued time with Andrew, our boys, and my friends and loved ones.
"While my time in Congress will soon come to a close, I’m just as confident and committed as ever to keep up the work that got me into this fight in the first place for my remaining time in office – to help build the future we want for our children."
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