From the Times-News:
A neurologist treating Marc Basnight has identified the former North Carolina Senate leader’s chronic health condition as a motor neuron disease that affects his brain stem, making it difficult for him to speak.
Basnight, a Dare County Democrat, is diagnosed with what’s called progressive bulbar palsy, which affects nerves down to the larynx, according to Dr. Benjamin Brooks of Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Basnight, who served a record 18 years as Senate leader, didn’t have a name for his condition when he left office in January 2011. It was known for years that Basnight, now 64, had a degenerative nerve disease that affected his balance and slowed his speech.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.