Parkinson’s is a “progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves”.
Richard explained in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was diagnosed after deciding to quit stand-up comedy while he was “at the top of my game”.
He said: “After 50 years almost, [I decided], ‘I’m just gonna call it quits’. And I felt great about that. And then out of the blue...”
He explained he underwent several medical procedures for his back, shoulder and hip, and showed symptoms of the disease afterwards.
He said: “I started walking a little stiffly, I was shuffling my feet, and I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. That was about two years ago. But luckily I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all, and I’m on the right meds, so I’m cool.
“I have Parkinson’s disease, but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool.”
