Tom Dumont, guitarist for the famed ska band No Doubt, revealed to fans on Saturday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, weeks ahead of the band’s Las Vegas residency.
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Dumont posted a video to Instagram explaining that he started experiencing symptoms years ago which prompted a visit to his doctor and a neurologist. A series of tests led to the early-onset Parkinson’s diagnosis, he said.
“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “It’s a struggle every day, and I’ll make another video with details about what Parkinson’s entails. The good news is I can still play music, I can still play guitar. I’ve been doing really well.”
The guitarist credited others for being so open about their own health for helping inspire him to talk about his own diagnosis. It helps to reduce stigma and is important for increased awareness, Dumont said.
No Doubt, led by singer Gwen Stefani, reunited in recent years and is set to perform at Las Vegas’ “Sphere” venue from May 6 to June 13. Stefani is expected to be the first woman to headline the venue.
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder that progresses over time and affects movement, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Symptoms typical include tremors, rigidity, and balance issues that can worsen as the disease progresses.
A number of public figures have been open about their diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease, including actor Michael J. Fox. The “Back to the Future” star testified alongside boxer Muhammad Ali in 2002 to lobby for increased funding for medical research through the National Institutes of Health.
Both men urged Congress to invest in research into Parksinon’s causes and treatments for the disorder, though Ali’s wife Lonnie spoke on his behalf. Ali was diagnosed in 1982, just a year after putting down his gloves and entering retirement.
Fox was at the height of his career in 1991 and filming “Doc Hollywood” when he began experiencing symptoms. He revealed his diagnosis seven years later through an interview with People Magazine while his show “Spin City” was on the air.
Fox has a foundation dedicated to awareness, research, and education of Parkinson’s Disease as he continued to struggle with the disease’s side effects. He has continued acting both on screen and through voice work and most recently appeared as a guest star on Apple’s “Shrinking” with Harrison Ford and Jason Segel.
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