Legendary actor Danny Glover, 79, has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for multiple years. In a recent interview, Glover and his family shared their experience with the progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease.

Glover’s Diagnosis and Family Support

Glover, known for his iconic roles in films like ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘The Color Purple,’ has been open about his condition and the impact it has on his daily life. Despite the challenges, he feels fortunate to have a strong family behind him, including his daughter, Mandisa, and youngest brother, Martin.

‘I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story,’ Mandisa said. ‘That’s really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself?’

Raising Awareness and Removing Stigma

Glover’s decision to publicly share his diagnosis aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and remove the stigma surrounding it. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 7 million Americans over 65 are living with the disease, with Black people being twice as likely to develop it as white people.

The organization emphasizes the importance of early detection, as cognitive decline can start up to 15 years before a dementia diagnosis. Simple actions like staying physically active, managing blood pressure and diabetes, getting quality sleep, and staying socially connected can be crucial in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Glover, who has over 170 acting credits, continues to be involved in his community, attending events and engaging with young people despite the challenges posed by his condition. His story serves as a testament to the power of family support and the importance of raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.