In an emotional "open letter" posted on X, the beloved actor Steven W. Bailey from "Grey's Anatomy" revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder called Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS). The 54-year-old actor, who played Joe, the owner of the fictional Emerald City Bar frequented by the show's main characters during seasons one through seven, shared that he has been battling this condition for over five years.
"I've spent years being cautious, private, and quiet about something that has been shaping my life and my work," Bailey began. "That time is over." He continued, "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."
CMS is a group of rare hereditary conditions caused by a gene change that results in muscle weakness, which worsens with physical activity, according to the Mayo Clinic. Any muscles used for movement can be affected, including those that control speaking, chewing and swallowing, seeing and blinking, breathing, and walking.
Bailey explained why he chose to keep his condition private after his initial diagnosis. "Out of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and being private about such things in general, I have been hiding my battle with this disease for over five years," he wrote. "Time to stop."
He further explained, "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 things in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be on the blink. Troublesome, little buggers — right?"
Bailey continued, "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." The result being that his hands, arms, and legs tire quicker than they should, which makes them weaker than anticipated. Sustained repetitive movements are particularly difficult and can cause his muscles to temporarily tighten and shut down.
While Bailey joked that his symptoms "often get me out of the chores of doing the dishes and folding laundry in my household," he noted that there are also some downsides. The actor shared that his condition has made walking longer distances and sustained movement increasingly difficult for him. "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 wrote. "The truth is, as my disease progresses, I have been using a powered wheelchair more and more to get around."
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of CMS often begin at birth or early childhood, but mild forms may be diagnosed later. CMS is a lifelong condition and currently has no cure, though medications can help manage symptoms. Bailey shared how the progression of his disease is affecting his career. "Professionally, this is changing me as an actor," he wrote. "Much like walking my dog around the block or helping at the store, I can still perform on my feet, limitedly."
Bailey explained that he decided to make a shift toward more wheelchair-based roles as a necessary next step. "Practically speaking, moving forward, it's time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair-based," he admitted. "But now I am here — done hiding — with a clear understanding of my disease, wheels firmly beneath me, ready for the next chapter in my life and career."
He concluded his X thread with optimism for his future in the industry he loves. "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," he wrote. "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. Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels."
