Grey’s Anatomy actor Steven W. Bailey reveals rare neuromuscular disorder

“Grey’s Anatomy” actor Steven W. Bailey announced that he was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder.

In his “open letter” thread in X, The 54-year-old actor, who played Joe, the owner of the fictional Emerald City Bar frequented by the main characters in seasons 1 through 7 of the popular series, shared that he struggled with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) after being diagnosed more than five years ago.

“I spent years remaining cautious, secretive, and silent about something that shaped my life and my work,” Bailey began. “Then it’s over.”

He continued, “This is crazy, but apparently 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 causes muscle weakness that worsens with physical activity,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

“All muscles used for movement may be affected, including muscles that control speaking, chewing and swallowing, vision and blinking, breathing and walking,” the medical center added.

Bailey went on to share why she chose to keep her condition private after she was first diagnosed.

Bailey explained that she was first diagnosed with CMS more than five years ago. (Disney General Entertainment Content via Craig Sjodin/Getty Images)

“For reasons of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and general anonymity about such matters, I have been hiding 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 muscle at the ‘nerve/muscle junction,’ or whatever doctors call it,” Bailey explained. “There are billions of these ports on a body, and mine seem to be increasing in number. They’re causing trouble, little buggers, aren’t they?”

“The thing is, my muscles are clearly not receiving all the orders from my brain to do all the wonderful things that muscles are supposed to do,” he continued. “This is so boring.”

“As a result, my hands, arms and legs tire faster than they should, making them weaker than expected,” Bailey says. he added. “Constantly repetitive movements are particularly difficult and can cause my muscles to temporarily contract and shut down.”

While Bailey joked that her symptoms “relieve me from washing dishes and folding laundry at home most of the time,” she noted that “there are some negatives as well.”

The actor shared that his condition has made it increasingly difficult for him to walk longer distances and move constantly.

Bailey played the recurring role of bar owner Joe throughout the show’s first seven seasons. (Disney General Entertainment Content via Adam Taylor/Getty Image)

“I’m lucky right now that I can walk my dog ​​around the block, go to my house, pop into the store to pick up a few items, and so on on my feet,” she wrote. “The truth is, as my disease progresses, I use a power wheelchair more and more to get around.”

Symptoms of CMS usually begin at birth or in early childhood, although mild forms may be diagnosed later, according to the Mayo Clinic. CMS is a lifelong condition and there is currently no cure, but medications can help manage symptoms.

Bailey, who has also appeared in other hit TV shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “NCIS,” “Community,” “Modern Family,” “Scandal,” “Shameless,” “Chicago Fire” and “You,” shared how the progression of her disease affected her career.

“Professionally, this is changing me as a player,” he wrote. “Just like walking my dog ​​around the block or helping out in the store, I can perform on my feet, albeit to a limited extent.”

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“I can get around without any problems through simple ‘walks and talks,’” Bailey continued. “I can still stand up to challenge the judge, derail a town meeting, or yell at a cop for being a loose cannon.”

However, Bailey explained that he decided to transition towards wheelchair-based roles as his next step.

The actor revealed that he will be shifting to more wheelchair-based roles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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“Practically speaking, if we keep moving forward, it’s time for my work, just like my life, to start distorting the wheelchair more. I’m really past that time,” Bailey admitted. “But now I am here – I have stopped hiding – with a clear understanding of my illness, the wheels are under me, and I am ready for the next chapter in my life and career.”

“I’m hopeful that there’s still a place 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,” he continued.

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“And now that I think about it, I don’t need to stand up to object to the judge I mentioned earlier. They will hear me,” he added. “And I can derail any town meeting from the top of my chair – no problem. And as for loose cannons – well, you get the idea.”

“Same man. Same actor. Same artist. Now on wheels,” he wrote as he wrapped up the series X.