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‘Sully,’ ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Pilot, Announces Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Chesley B. Sullenberger III, the pilot famed for the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson" water landing that saved 155 lives, has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease at age 75.
- Sullenberger retired from commercial piloting in 2010 and later served as a U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, advocating for aviation safety reforms.
- He described the diagnosis as a new challenge in his lifelong commitment to service and hopes that sharing his condition will encourage others affected by Alzheimer's to come forward.
- Early symptoms he experiences include memory loss, difficulty recalling recent stories, and sleep disturbances, consistent with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
- Approximately 7.4 million Americans live with Alzheimer's, a progressive dementia that impairs memory, problem-solving, and daily functioning.
