Grey’s Anatomy star Steven W. Bailey diagnosed with rare neuromuscular disorder
Topics: Health, Celebrity, Film and TV
Phoebe Tonks
Featured Image Credit: Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Topics: Health, Celebrity, Film and TV
Grey’s Anatomy star Steven W. Bailey has revealed he has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder.
Bailey, 54, who famously played bartender Joe in the hit medical series for seven seasons, explained via X on Friday (January 2), that he has ‘spent years being cautious, private, and quiet’ about something that has been ‘shaping [his] life and my work.’
“That time is over,” he declared, before penning an open letter to his followers that revealed the extent of what he has been living with.
Kicking off his letter in a casual style reminiscent of his beloved character on screen, Bailey expressed his concern for others in the entertainment industry as he hoped that they were ‘well and not too overburdened with life’s troubles.’
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He then went on a segue into his own health battle as he continued: “Say, speaking of troubles, it’s the darndest thing, but 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.”
Bailey then admitted he had been hiding his condition for over five years ‘out of career caution’, but now finally wanted to make things public.
He even went on to explain exactly what CMS is and how it affects him as 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.
“There are billions of these junction dodads in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be on the blink. Troublesome, little buggers- right?
“The point is: 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.”
In particular, he revealed that ‘sustained repetitive movements are particularly difficult’ and ‘can cause my muscles to temporarily tighten and shut down.’
While this did have some perks - he cheekily confessed it often got him out of doing the dishes and folding laundry – it had begun to take its toll when it came to walking.
“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,” he explained.
“But the truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around.”
Elaborating on what this means day to day, he continued: “I am what is referred to as an ambulatory wheelchair user. I ambulate some, then I sit, I “wheelchair” about, ambulate, sit, and then, you know, ambulate.
“This duality can lead to some humorous interactions. Like me using my wheelchair in a department store, while still having the “tall guy” habit of standing up to help someone get something off the top shelf. Life can be odd.”
Yet it isn’t just his private life that it's impacting, but his professional one too, as Bailey said: “Professionally, this is changing me as an actor. Much like walking my dog around the block, or helping at the store, I can still perform on my feet, limitedly.
“I can ambulate my way through simple “walks and talks” with no problem. I can still rise to my feet to object to the judge, derail a town meeting, or yell at a cop for being a loose cannon.
“But, practically speaking, moving forward, it’s time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair, if you will. Passed that time, really.”
Reflecting on the significance of his diagnosis and what it could mean in his profession, Bailey continued: “I am hopeful that there is still room for me in this industry that I love. I look forward to performing as characters who live their lives with a chair, creating a more representative world in film and television.
“And now that I think of it, I don’t need to leap to my feet to object to that judge I mentioned earlier. They’ll hear me. And I can derail any town meeting from my chair — no problem. And as far as loose cannons go — well, you get the point.”
He then powerfully concluded: “Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels.”
Bailey has been a staple of the US TV industry since the mid 90s, appearing in a number of hit TV shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Will & Grace, NCIS, Bones, YOU, Modern Family and Chicago Fire.
He is perhaps best known to fans for his Grey’s Anatomy role, which he held between 2005 and 2010.