Rebecca Crews Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis, Finds Hope in New Surgery

Rebecca King-Crews, wife of actor and TV host Terry Crews, is bravely sharing her personal health journey. In a recent candid appearance on the ‘Today’ show, she revealed that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2015, bringing much-needed awareness to the condition.

Living with Parkinson’s: A Personal Journey

Despite the challenges, Rebecca shared a positive outlook, stating, ‘I feel good.’ She highlighted a significant personal victory: being able to write her name and dates with her right hand for the first time in about three years. This milestone comes after undergoing a newly-approved, non-invasive surgery.

Parkinson’s disease can manifest in various ways, including tremors, slowed movement, balance issues, changes in handwriting, sleep disturbances, and speech alterations. Rebecca first noticed symptoms around 2012, experiencing numbness in her left foot that progressed to a limp and tremors. Initially dismissed as anxiety by a neurologist, she finally received a formal diagnosis from a Parkinson’s specialist in 2015.

A Life-Changing Surgical Procedure

The tremors were particularly frustrating for Rebecca, making everyday tasks like applying makeup and brushing her teeth difficult. The recent surgery, a bilateral focused ultrasound, has been transformative. She is no longer experiencing right-sided tremors, and her balance has notably improved. She’s scheduled for the procedure on the left side of her body in September, anticipating further symptom relief.

This advanced procedure uses a device called an Exablate Neuro to precisely deliver ultrasound waves to specific areas of the brain, guided by MRI, targeting the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Resilience and Support

Even with her diagnosis, Rebecca remains incredibly active and creative. She has been working on a book, an album, and a clothing line, demonstrating immense resilience. ‘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.’

Terry Crews has been a steadfast source of support throughout this journey. During the interview, he shared how emotional he became seeing his wife regain the ability to write her name. He emphasized their deep connection, stating, ‘When they say sickness and health, this is the battle that we were designed to fight together.’

Raising Awareness and Hope

Rebecca is sharing her story to raise awareness about the focused ultrasound surgery, which is not yet covered by insurance. She hopes to make this potentially life-changing treatment more accessible to others, acknowledging its significant cost. ‘I wanted to potentially make it more available to others, because it’s an expensive surgery, it’s not covered (by insurance) yet,’ she explained.

Her ultimate goal is to offer hope to those living with Parkinson’s, expressing a strong belief in finding a cure. Rebecca’s courage and determination are truly inspiring.