The 62-year-old Grammy winner has been diagnosed with a progressive nerve disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, which impairs his balance and reduces the size and strength of his muscles.
This may limit his ability to stand on his two feet and perform live, as he has admitted to feeling unsteady and uncomfortable on stage. Jackson inherited from his father, who also had the disease, and his grandmother, who was diagnosed with it as well. Jackson’s sister is currently fighting CMT as well. There is no cure for the disease, but it is not life-threatening, although it is connected to other conditions such as Parkinson’s and muscular dystrophy.