Dear Editor:

I am writing to address the speculation regarding President Biden's walking gait. As a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to shed light on this matter with facts.

In Biden’s latest physical exam, Feb. 28 of this year, a team of doctors concluded that the president’s stiff gait is not indicative of a serious health issue but rather a reflection of his struggle with arthritis. Arthritis is a common condition affecting millions of Americans, and it can have a noticeable impact on mobility, especially in older adults.

Previous exams determined that much of Biden’s stiffness while walking is the result of wear and tear on his spine exacerbated by a foot fracture Biden suffered in 2020. In the newest exam, doctors said that Biden’s “arthritic changes remain moderate to severe, but still do not result in nerve root compression significant enough that they would warrant any specific treatment.” The report also said that the arthritic pain he is experiencing in his left hip is also contributing to his stiff gait.

A detailed neurological exam indicated no findings consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, thus ruling out that his stiff walking gait is the result of other issues such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.

As citizens, we owe it to ourselves and our leaders to engage in respectful discourse based on facts.

Wendy Ross

Wiscasset