Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revealed a startling medical condition from his past involving a brain parasite, as reported by the New York Times. The disclosure, stemming from a deposition during his 2012 divorce proceedings, has come to light as Kennedy, now 70, makes a bid for the presidency.
Kennedy described experiencing significant memory loss and mental fogginess, initially fearing these were symptoms of a brain tumor. However, a dramatic twist in his diagnosis revealed that these symptoms were due to a dead parasite that had consumed part of his brain tissue. This unusual medical discovery was made after doctors observed dark spots on his brain scans, initially misinterpreted as tumor formations.
Before receiving this diagnosis, Kennedy was prepared to undergo surgery by the same doctor who had treated his uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, who passed away from brain cancer in 2009. The revelation of the parasite instead of a more dire condition like cancer came as a significant relief, although it highlighted a peculiar and rare medical phenomenon.
This unusual medical history has resurfaced as Kennedy pursues the presidency, potentially impacting the public’s perception of his health and capability to serve. The incident underscores the complex personal and medical histories that candidates often bring to their political campaigns.