Ronald+Reagan+and+Alzheimer's+Disease

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died of pneumonia, a complication of Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, June 5th, 2004 at the age of 93. In 1994, he had announced that he was suffering from the disease by hand writing a letter to the American people. Nov. 5 1994 My Fellow Americans, I have recently been told that I am one of the Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. Upon learning this news, Nancy & I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way. In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives. So now, we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it. At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters. Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage. In closing let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be I will face it with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan It was only during his second term in office that some psychologists began to notice some possible symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in his conversation, speech, and behavior. At one of the press conferences, he was asked about his plans for meetings with the Russians on weapons. Instead of answering straight off, he seemed confused by the question and was unable to find the words he was trying to say. His wife, Nancy Reagan whispered loudly, “Tell them we’re doing everything we can.” Hearing that, he echoed, “We’re doing everything we can.” In November 1994, Ronald Reagan announced that he has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In 1995, he set up the Ronald and Nancy Research Fund with his wife. They aimed to raise 100 million dollars for research that had to do with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, the Ronald and Nancy Research Fund has helped pay for research and for treatment to be figured out to be provided for in a safe way. Harry Cayton, former chief executive of the UK Alzheimer's Disease Society, which has worked closely with the Reagan fund, had some great things to say in memory of President Reagan. "Ronald Reagan's openness has done a great deal to raise the profile of Alzheimer's disease," he said. "It is probably the single most important event in terms of raising public awareness. "It seemed to me to be a fantastically courageous thing for a man who was known as the great communicator to do. "There is no doubt that whatever people thought about him as a politician he became a champion for people with Alzheimer's disease and their careers throughout the world. "For people to see a man who was so powerful and such a great communicator reduced to a shambling and uncertain figure really brought home to people how devastating this disease is." Mr. Cayton said Ronald Reagan had also encouraged other celebrates, like the novelist Iris Murdoch and Charlton Heston, to come forth and admit that they too, had Alzheimer’s disease. "There was no doubt that Mr. Reagan was a kind of focus of attention. He enabled us to take the whole debate forward in a way that would not have otherwise have been possible - he speeded things up fantastically."

QUIZ QUESTION: By making that fundraiser, how did Ronald Reagan help people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease? What did people think of his accomplishments?

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/265435.stm
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