On Friday, Bailey — best known for playing bartender Joe on the long-running ABC medical drama — revealed that he has been living with Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome (CMS), a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. The condition affects communication between the brain and muscles and has led to his increasing reliance on a powered wheelchair.
“I would like to share something important with you about my life and my career,” Bailey wrote in a candid thread on X. “I’ve spent years being cautious, private, and quiet about something that has been shaping my life and my work. That time is over.”
The actor explained that a mix of career concerns, diagnostic uncertainty, and a naturally private personality kept him from speaking publicly about the condition sooner. “I have been hiding my battle with this disease for over five years,” he shared. “Time to stop.”
CMS, Bailey said, interferes with the nerve-to-muscle signals that allow the body to move normally. As a result, his muscles fatigue more quickly than expected, leading to weakness — particularly in his limbs — and increasing difficulty with walking.
“It’s a drag,” he admitted with humor. “My muscles aren’t clearly receiving all my brain’s orders to do all the swell things muscles are meant to do.”
While Bailey emphasized that he is still able to walk short distances and handle everyday tasks, he acknowledged that his mobility has changed significantly as the disease has progressed. “The truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around,” he wrote.
Describing himself as an “ambulatory wheelchair user,” Bailey explained that his days now involve a mix of walking and using his chair. “I ambulate some, then I sit, I ‘wheelchair’ about, ambulate, sit, and then, you know, ambulate.”
The diagnosis has also had a growing impact on his acting career. Bailey noted that while he can still perform scenes that require limited movement, it is time for his professional life to reflect his reality.
“Moving forward, it’s time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair,” he wrote. “Passed that time, really.”
Despite the challenges, Bailey remains optimistic and deeply committed to his craft. He expressed hope that there is still space for him in the entertainment industry — and that his presence can help bring more authentic representation to film and television.
“I look forward to performing as characters who live their lives with a chair, creating a more representative world,” he said. “Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels.”
Bailey’s announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, many praising his honesty and advocacy. By sharing his story, the actor is not only redefining his own career path, but also helping broaden the conversation around disability and representation in Hollywood.
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