Disease of most sorts has always carried a sense of shame, but dementia seems to carry an especially heavy stigma. This has lessened as more has been learned about the disease, including the fact that is indeed a disease! Moreover, this has been aided by the brave disclosures of dementia diagnoses from public figures. Here we’ve collected links to articles about a number of such figures, in no particular order.
Sandra Day O’Connor
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announces she has been diagnosed with dementia
Sandra Day O’Connor Says She Has Dementia, Withdraws From Public Life
As she faces dementia, Sandra Day O’Connor is a pioneer again
Ted Turner
Ted Turner reveals he has Lewy body dementia
Ted Turner reveals he’s battling Lewy body dementia in exclusive interview
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder’s widow on what it’s like to care for someone with Alzheimer’s
Glenn Campbell
Glen Campbell: His Courageous Fight with Alzheimer’s Disease (see also Review: ‘I’ll Be Me’ Is Glen Campbell’s Farewell to His Fans and Himself
Ronald Regan
Read Ronald Reagan’s Letter to the American People About His Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Pat Summit
Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston has Alzheimer’s symptoms (also Charlton Heston’s Alzheimer’s Announcement and Goodbye)
Terry Pratchett
‘A butt of my own jokes’: Terry Pratchett on the disease that finally claimed him
Malcolm Young
AC/DC’s Malcolm Young has dementia, family says
Kathy Griffin’s Mother
Kathy Griffin reveals mother’s diagnosis
Kathy Griffin Reveals Mom Maggie Has Dementia In Heartbreaking Post
A related article:
Dementia Is Getting Some Very Public Faces
