Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411080031
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Reagan, 83, wrote that he was feeling fine now, but he and wife, Nancy, had chosen to reveal the diagnosis in hope of promoting greater awareness of the incurable, mind-crippling disease.
``Unfortunate-ly, as Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden,'' Reagan wrote. ``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.''
The letter, released to The Associated Press by Reagan spokeswoman Catherine Busch, was accompanied by a statement from five of Reagan's doctors.
They said the diagnosis turned up in the course of routine yearly testing. Over the last year, the doctors said they began to notice possible symptoms of the disease in its early stages.
``Additional testing and an extensive observation over the past few weeks have led us to conclude that President Reagan is entering the early stages of this disease,'' the doctors wrote.
The doctors said that Reagan's health was otherwise good, but ``it is expected that as the years go on it will begin to deteriorate.''
Alzheimer's is an irreversible neurological disorder that destroys the brain's memory cells. In addition to memory loss, symptoms include impairment of judgment, disorientation and personality change.
Alzheimer's is the fourth leading cause of death among adults after heart disease, cancer and strokes. Eventually, victims need 24-hour care and usually live eight to 10 years after diagnosis.
Some 4million Americans have the neurological disorder, and about 100,000 die every year.
During Reagan's second term in the White House, it was often noted that he seemed forgetful and would lose his train of thought while talking. However, because the disease is recently diagnosed, Alzheimer's was probably not to blame.
Reagan sounded an optimistic note in his letter, saying he intends ``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.
``When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave 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.''
Reagan's spokeswoman said he was at an undisclosed location Saturday with his wife.
In Oakland, Calif., President Clinton interrupted a Democratic rally to talk about Reagan.
``A few moments ago, President Reagan announced he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. And when he said that, it touched my heart in a particular way,'' he told the hushed crowd.
``I want everyone of you in this room now to give Ronald Reagan a hand and wish him well and godspeed as he deals with this illness,'' he said.
That brought the house to its feet, applauding loudly for the onetime California governor.
Fellow Republican and actor Charlton Heston also offered his sympathies.
``Ronald Reagan gave a large part of his life for the service of the country,'' Heston said. ``He used his energies, and I guess he used them up.''
Reagan's health history includes being wounded in a 1981 assassination attempt, colon cancer surgery, prostate surgery and surgery to remove a pool of blood that formed on his brain after a fall from a horse.
In his letter, Reagan recalled the previous times he and his wife shared information with the public about their medical problems.
``In the past, Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries,'' Reagan wrote. ``We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness.''
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born Feb. 6, 1911, in Tampico, Ill. He was first elected California's governor in 1966, and in 1980 become the oldest man elected president at age 69. He was re-elected in 1984. He began his career as a sports announcer and starred in numerous B-movies.
by CNB