“Grey’s Anatomy” actor Steven W. Bailey revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder.
In an “open letter” he posted in a wire on X, The 54-year-old actor, who played Joe, the owner of the fictional Emerald City Bar frequented by the main characters of the hit series during seasons one to seven, said he has been struggling with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) after being diagnosed more than five years ago.
“I have been cautious, private and quiet for years about something that has shaped my life and my work,” Bailey began. “Those days are over.”
He continued, “It’s the damnedest thing, but it turns out I have a pretty rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. Weird, right? It’s called Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome.”
CMS is a “group of rare inherited disorders caused by a gene change that results in muscle weakness, which worsens with physical activity,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
“All muscles used for movement can be affected, including muscles that control speaking, chewing and swallowing, seeing and blinking, breathing and walking,” the medical center added.
Bailey went on to share why he chose to keep his condition private after he was first diagnosed.
Bailey revealed that he was first diagnosed with CMS more than five years ago. (Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment content via Getty Images)
“Out of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and being private about such things in general, I have hidden my battle with this disease for over five years,” he wrote. “Time to stop.”
“CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts communication between the brain and the muscles at the ‘nerve-muscle junction’… or whatever doctors call it,” Bailey explained. ‘There are billions of these junction dodads in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be blinking. Tricky little fools, right?’
“The thing is, my muscles aren’t clearly receiving all the commands from my brain to do all the wonderful things that muscles are supposed to do,” he continued. “It’s a hindrance.”
“The result is that my hands, arms and legs get tired faster than they should, leaving them weaker than, well, expected,” Bailey added. “Continued repetitive movements are extremely difficult and can cause my muscles to tighten and shut down temporarily.”
While Bailey joked that his symptoms “often keep me from washing dishes and folding laundry in my household,” he noted that “there are some downsides, too.”
The actor said his condition has made walking longer distances and maintaining exercise increasingly difficult for him.
Bailey appeared in the recurring role of bar owner Joe in the show’s first seven seasons. (Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Image)
“I’m fortunate that at the moment I can still walk the dog around the block, navigate around my house, make a quick trip to the store for a few supplies and the like,” he wrote. “The truth is that as my disease progresses, I use an electric wheelchair more and more to get around.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of CMS often begin at birth or in early childhood, but mild forms can be diagnosed later. CMS is a lifelong condition and there is currently no cure, although medications can help manage symptoms.
Bailey, who has also appeared in other hit TV shows including “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “NCIS,” “Community,” “Modern Family,” “Scandal,” “Shameless,” “Chicago Fire” and “You,” shared how the progression of his disease is affecting his career.
“Professionally, this changes me as an actor,” he wrote. “Just like walking my dog around the block or helping out at the store, my ability to perform on my feet is still limited.”
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“I can go through simple ‘walks and talks’ with no problem,” Bailey continued. “I can still stand up to object to the judge, derail a town meeting, or yell at a cop for being a loose cannon.”
However, Bailey explained that he decided to make a shift to more wheelchair roles as a necessary next step.
The actor explained that he will be transitioning into more wheelchair roles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
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“Practically speaking, as I move forward, it’s time for my work, as in my life, to start using more wheelchairs, if you will. Those days are really over,” Bailey admitted. “But now here I am – done hiding – with a clear understanding of my disease, firmly beneath me, ready for the next chapter in my life and career.”
“I am hopeful that there is still room for me in this industry that I love. I look forward to acting as characters who live their lives with a chair, creating a more representative world in film and television,” he continued.
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“And now that I think about it, I don’t have to jump up and object to the judge I mentioned earlier. They will hear me,” he added. “And I can derail any town meeting from my seat – no problem. And as for loose cannons – well, you know what I mean.”
“Same man. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels,” he wrote, closing his X-thread.
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