Sen. Johnny Isakson says he has Parkinson's disease

ATLANTA — Sen. Johnny Isakson has announced he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Isakson says he was first diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and is still in the early stages of the disease.

Georgia's senior senator told Channel 2's Justin Gray that the disease hasn't impacted his work.

His Marietta neurologist says while the senator could see more physical symptoms in coming years, his cognitive ability shouldn't be affected.
 
Gray reported that he has spent time with Isakson recently and noticed he had a slow walk. Isakson says he calls it a shuffle to his gait.
 
Along with a stiff left arm, Iskason told Gray that is the only physical sign of the disease.
 
"Some people would say, 'Oh maybe it's time to slow down,'" Isakson said. "I'm not slowing down. In fact, if anything I announced I was running for re-election knowing what you now know. I thought it was important to be transparent about that, but I also thought it was important for me to take control rather than Parkinson's take control."
 
Isakson says he was first diagnosed with Parkinson's 2 1/2 years ago.
 
Only his wife and doctors knew until last month when he told his children and senior staff.
 
He says it doesn't change his plans for this term or a re-election run.
 
"Plans for 2016 are in concrete. There are a lot of people who invested a lot in my re-election and I'm not going to do anything but give them a dividend," Isakson says.
 
Gray spoke to Isakson's Cobb County neurologist, Dr. Thomas Holmes, on a conference call. On the phone he reiterated what he said in a statement about Iskason: "I believe he is fully capable of running for re-election and serving for another term."
 
"I'm probably more enthusiastic for the job I have than I've ever been," Isakson says.
 
Isakson is doing daily physical therapy and taking two medications to treat the disease.

The Atlanta native has been in the Senate since 2005. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representative from 1999 to 2005.

Isakson entered politics in 1974 and served 17 years in the Georgia Legislature.
 
Isakson is a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics.

In response to Isakson's diagnosis, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal released the following statement:

"In the 35 years that I've known Johnny Isakson, he has risen to meet — and overcome — every obstacle he's encountered with determination and a smile on his face," Deal said. "There's not a doubt in my mind that he and Diane will rise to meet this challenge. As he fights this battle, our distinguished senator will continue representing Georgians' conservative principles in Washington."