Grey’s Anatomy actor Steven W. Bailey has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder.
The 54-year-old actor, recognized for his role as bartender Joe in the popular medical drama, shared on X that he has spent years keeping a secret about something that has deeply affected his personal and professional life.
“That time is over,” he stated, introducing an open letter to his supporters outlining his experience.
Bailey began his message in a style similar to his on-screen character, expressing his hope that those in the entertainment field were managing life’s challenges well.
He then transitioned to discuss his own health journey: “Speaking of troubles, it’s the darndest thing, but it turns out I have a rather rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. Weird, right? It’s called Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome, or CMS. Not to be confused with the more common autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis that you have probably heard of… your uncle’s friend has that one, I think.”
Bailey confessed he had been concealing his condition for over five years to avoid career risks, but now feels ready to be open about it.
He detailed how CMS affects him: “CMS is a genetic disease that disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscle at the ‘nerve/muscle junction’… or whatever doctors call it.”
“There are billions of these junction dodads in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be on the blink. Troublesome, little buggers- right?
“The point is: my muscles aren’t clearly receiving all my brain’s orders to do all the swell things muscles are meant to do. It’s a drag.”
He noted that his hands, arms, and legs tire more quickly than expected, affecting his ability to perform sustained repetitive movements.
Although he jokingly mentioned that this condition sometimes exempts him from chores like doing the dishes, it has started to impact his mobility.
“I am fortunate that I am currently still able to walk the dog around the block, navigate my home, pop into the store for a quick few items, and the like on my feet,” he explained.
“But the truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around.”
He explained the duality of being an ambulatory wheelchair user: “I am what is referred to as an ambulatory wheelchair user. I ambulate some, then I sit, I ‘wheelchair’ about, ambulate, sit, and then, you know, ambulate.
“This duality can lead to some humorous interactions. Like me using my wheelchair in a department store, while still having the ‘tall guy’ habit of standing up to help someone get something off the top shelf. Life can be odd.”
His condition is also affecting his acting career, as he mentioned: “Professionally, this is changing me as an actor. Much like walking my dog around the block, or helping at the store, I can still perform on my feet, limitedly.
“I can ambulate my way through simple ‘walks and talks’ with no problem. I can still rise to my feet to object to the judge, derail a town meeting, or yell at a cop for being a loose cannon.
“But, practically speaking, moving forward, it’s time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair, if you will. Passed that time, really.”
Reflecting on the changes brought by his diagnosis, Bailey expressed optimism about continuing his career: “I am hopeful that there is still room 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.
“And now that I think of it, I don’t need to leap to my feet to object to that judge I mentioned earlier. They’ll hear me. And I can derail any town meeting from my chair — no problem. And as far as loose cannons go — well, you get the point.”
He concluded his message with a strong statement: “Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels.”
Bailey has been a prominent figure in the US television landscape since the mid-1990s, appearing in numerous popular shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Will & Grace, NCIS, Bones, YOU, Modern Family, and Chicago Fire.
He is perhaps most fondly remembered for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, which he held from 2005 to 2010.