After being diagnosed with ALS, Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins is speaking out.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control. ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the famous baseball player who was first diagnosed with it.
John Driskell Hopkins health: What disease does John Driskell Hopkins have?
In an exclusive interview with the musical icon, He admitted that he didn’t think he’d ever felt true anxiety until now.
According to reports, Hopkins announced in a video message over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, a motor neuron disease that results in the degeneration of the messaging system connecting the brain and muscles throughout the body.
From speculations the disease is extremely rare, affecting over 20,000 people each year, and that symptoms include muscle weakness, wasting, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing.
Hopkins, affectionately known as Hops, delivered his news with his bandmates by his side, describing some of his symptoms and informing fans that the disease’s progression has been quite gradual.