Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer’s disease and has opened up about the early effects of the diagnosis.
The 75-year-old, widely known for safely bringing down US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009 and saving the lives of everyone on board, shared the update in a statement published on his website on July 14.
Sullenberger, who retired from commercial flying in 2010 and later became a prominent aviation safety advocate, said he decided to speak publicly in the hope that other families facing the illness privately may feel able to do the same.
In the message, Sullenberger spoke about the importance of family before explaining that he has recently been diagnosed with the condition at an early stage.
“Lorrie and I often said we won the baby lottery with our two daughters. And we have learned what people say is actually true: that grandchildren are a game changer. Our granddaughter gives a whole new meaning to life.
“With that said, I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It is early stage. For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey.”
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease and the most common form of dementia. In its early stages, symptoms can include forgetfulness, trouble finding words and difficulty remembering recently learned information.
Sullenberger said he decided to make the diagnosis public in the hope that other families facing the illness privately may feel able to do the same.
He also said that while the disease may affect parts of his memory, he remains focused on the future and plans to face this stage of life with the support of his family.
“Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully.
“Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”
More to follow.