Grey's Anatomy's Steven W. Bailey Reveals Neuromuscular Disorder Diagnosis
Steven W. Bailey, an actor you may recognize as Joe the Bartender from Grey’s Anatomy, has shared that he’s been diagnosed with congenital myasthenia syndrome and he now sometimes needs to use a wheelchair.
The 54-year-old Chicago Fire and Scandal actor explained in a lengthy Twitter statement, writing, “It turns out I have a rather rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. Weird, right? It’s called Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome, or CMS. Not to be confused with the more common autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis that you have probably heard of… your uncle’s friend has that one, I think. Out of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and being private about such things in general, I have been hiding my battle with this disease for over five years. Time to stop.”
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He added, “CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscle at the “nerve/muscle junction”… or whatever doctors call it. my muscles aren’t clearly receiving all my brain’s orders to do all the swell things muscles are meant to do. It’s a drag. The result being that my hands, arms and legs tire quicker than they should, which makes them weaker than, well… anticipated.”
He continued, “I am fortunate that I am currently still able to walk the dog around the block, navigate my home, pop into the store for a quick few items, and the like on my feet. But the truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around.”
He shared, “But now I am here — done hiding — with a clear understanding of my disease, wheels firmly beneath me, ready for the next chapter in my life and career.”