Grey’s Anatomy’s Steven W. Bailey diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder

Grey’s Anatomy alum Steven W. Bailey has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder known as myasthenia gravis syndrome (MSC).

Bailey, 54, explained via X on Friday, Jan. 2, that he “has spent years being cautious, private and quiet” about something that has been “shaping (his) life and my work.”

“This time is over,” he vowed. “What follows is an open letter to all of you.”

Bailey began her letter by expressing hope that her peers in the entertainment industry are “well and not too burdened with the problems of life,” before revealing her own struggle.

“Let’s say, speaking of problems, it’s the most damaging, but it turns out I have a pretty rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. Weird, right? It’s called Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome, or CMS,” he announced.

The Cleveland Clinic describes CMS as a group of “conditions that cause muscle weakness that worsens with physical activity.”

The actor said he had hidden his condition for five years “out of professional caution, diagnostic uncertainty and being private about these things”, although he now felt it was “time to stop” running from the truth.

“CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscle at the ‘nerve/muscle junction’…or whatever the doctors call it,” he explained. “There are billions of these binding dice in a body, and a growing number of mine seem to be in a blink. Troublesome little bugs, aren’t they?”

Bailey broke down the facts about CMS, writing, “The thing is, my muscles are clearly not getting all the commands from my brain to do all the things muscles are supposed to do. It’s a brake.”

“The result is that my hands, arms and legs get tired faster than they should, which makes them weaker than, well…expected,” he continued. “Sustained repetitive movements are especially difficult and can cause my muscles to tighten up and shut down temporarily.”

Bailey joked that while his diagnosis has helped him get out of “doing the dishes and folding the laundry at (his) house,” it has also increasingly hampered his ability to walk.

“I’m lucky enough to currently still be able to walk the dog down the block, navigate around my house, pop into the store for a few quick items, and like on my feet,” she noted. “But the truth is that as my disease progresses, I’ve been using an electric wheelchair more and more to get around.”

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum confirmed that he can “still stand up” in a limited capacity for acting roles, including still being able to “stand up to stand up to the judge, derail a town meeting or call a cop out for being a loose cannon” when needed.

“Practically speaking, moving forward, it’s time for my work, as in my life, to start leaning more wheelchair, if you will. I’m past that time, really,” Bailey acknowledged. “But now I’m here, I’m done hiding, with a clear understanding of my illness, rolling firmly beneath me, ready for the next chapter in my life and career.”

Bailey reiterated his belief that “there’s still room for (him) in this industry” as he relies more on the use of a wheelchair.

“I hope to act as characters who live their lives in a chair, creating a more representative world in film and television,” he added. “And now that I think about it, I don’t need to leap up to oppose the judge I mentioned earlier. They’ll listen to me. And I can derail any town meeting from my chair, no problem. And as for the loose cannons, well, you get the point.”

Bailey closed his heartwarming message to fans with a self-affirming description of himself: “Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now on wheels.”

The star received well wishes from many of her fans, with a user X replying, “Thanks for sharing your story! I hope to see you back on TV soon and I hope you continue to find a positive and fulfilling path personally and professionally.”

Bailey is perhaps best known for appearing in over 30 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy as Joe, the owner of a fictional bar near the show’s Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital, during the first seven seasons. He has also made memorable appearances NCIS, angel, Modern Family i scandal.

Most recently, Bailey had a multi-episode arc as union lawyer Mike Knowles Chicago Firein addition to guest star you i swiped.