How Jack Hanna's struggle with Alzheimer's is empowering people around the world

Kathaleen Hanna glanced over at her famous father, bowed her head for a moment and then looked upward with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Our wish is that this helps someone else,” Kathaleen said. “We want those struggling with Alzheimer’s disease to know they aren’t alone. I know that’s what my dad would want too.”

The Hanna family wish has come to fruition.

Their decision to publicly share Jack Hanna’s struggle with Alzheimer’s has created an emotional connection with people all of the world.

Read More: Jack Hanna's long goodbye: How Alzheimer's is stripping away the man the world once knew

Jack, 76, one of the world’s most famous animal conservationists for decades, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the fall of 2019. But the disease has now advanced to the point where he doesn’t even remember if he has even been to Columbus, Ohio. He only truly remembers his wife Suzi, Kathaleen when she visits from England and his dog Brassy.

The Dispatch published a story this past week that depicted Jack and his family’s life in Montana as they continue their long goodbye with a disease that has taken far too many.

Since then thousands of people have reached out to the family and the newspaper to share their own experiences with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Their notes said they saw pieces of their own struggle in the Hanna family story. Some have lost a parent or sibling or friend to the disease. Some are still caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

But all in their own way, readers said the Hanna family’s courage to share their good and bad moments has empowered them.

The Dispatch received the following notes, which have been edited for length and clarity.

An Alaskan supreme court justice

“(It was) more than painful to read, it is very personal to me.

My husband, who retired as a justice of the Supreme Court in Alaska, also had Alzheimer’s. He was diagnosed about four years ago and was in a very slow decline mentally.

I can relate to so many of the moments you describe in your story.

My dear husband of 58 years died from COVID induced double pneumonia last September. I am so very grateful to have had such a loving relationship and miss him terribly. Sending blessings and prayers for Suzi and her girls.”

—Patricia Moore | Wilsonville, Oregon

'She is the only person he recognizes'

“I know a couple who have been married for about 38 years. They're both about 80.

Recently the wife, who was adored, cherished, waited on, etc. decided to sell their home on 5 acres in Georgia. It's the only home her husband ever new, plus he had many animals he loved more than anything except his wife.

Now he is in a home for Alzheimer’s patients.

I'm told she is the only person he recognizes. It's been less than a month since he left his beloved little home and animals and wife, who tells me she is heartbroken.

Her husband cries whenever she sees him and nothing she says can console him. Soon she'll be moving into the facility herself.

I am age 67 with stage 4 cancer. So I do understand having things taken away. I am very grateful to have a 27-year -old daughter as my caregiver.

Life is far from fair, that's what I know for sure. And every day I try to learn something new like I'll live forever, and love each day.”

—Charlene Blankenship | Edmonds, Washington

A 'thank you' from one Ohio family to another

“My father was struck down by Alzheimer's at 89 an 1/2, though he had strong signs of it for almost two decades.

My mother and two sisters were in total denial. It was not until mom had died and dad had a very light stroke that no more denial could happen.

The hospital would only release him to a nursing home with an Alzheimer's unit. It was a very good thing for him and for us.

Alzheimer's disease runs on my father's side of the family. His mother (my paternal grandmother) had it and so did his brother.

Thank you to Jack Hanna and his wife.”

—Miss Julie Kay Smithson | London, Ohio 

'It truly is the long goodbye'

“Thank you and the Hanna family for sharing their story.

Three weeks ago we lost our mom due to Alzheimer’s complications.

I could relate to everything the Hanna family is experiencing…it truly is the long goodbye.

As a caregiver to someone with this terrible disease, unless you have done this, and gone through the phases of this condition, there is no one who can truly understand what happens to your life and your loved one’s life.”

—Deborah Victor

Sad, but grateful for the Hanna family's story

“The article about Jack Hanna is so important.

I’m sitting here crying, but I’m grateful.

My Dad has dementia. Dad’s a little further along in the disease.

I’m so glad the family was willing to include pictures. Dad “looks” just like him — the posture, hand on his head.It helps.”

—Julianne Smeck | Columbus, Ohio

Read More: Q&A: Families combating Alzheimer's disease are not alone. What you need to know

Understanding 'the foe' of Alzheimer's

“Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s carries a similar stigma that cancer used to have.

I pray that shining a light on this disease and its challenges will allow people to ask for help and/or to avail themselves of the help that is already out there.

I live in a small town in Oklahoma where I have lived since 2005. I have a dear friend in Connecticut, where my husband and I lived for many years, and she has been living with Alzheimer’s for over ten years.

Because of my love for her, I have been attending our local Alzheimer’s support group for many years so I could understand the challenges with any type of dementia... so I could learn what helps and what doesn’t.

We must come to understand the ”foe” that is dementia.”

—Ginny Manderfield | Ponca City, Oklahoma

Fond memories of Jack's late night appearances

“I am a 58 year-old man sitting here with tears running down my face after reading about Jack Hanna.

My wife and I moved from Delaware to South Carolina in 1994, to lend a hand to her mother after my wife's father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. He lived ten more years and it truly was a "long goodbye."

I was a huge Late Show With David Letterman fan in my college days, and for years after, and fondly remember many of Jack's appearances.

Thank you for sharing his and his family's story.

May it enlighten and educate some people who don't know much about Alzheimer's disease and may it bring some comfort and understanding to those families —like the one of my long-time assistant and great friend, who are currently going through the battle.“

— R.J. Beach | Greenville, South Carolina

A long road that is both 'painful and difficult'

“The Jack Hanna piece really affected me like the countless others, I’m sure, who read it and can relate to the experiences of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in their own families and friends.

For a man so famous for his animal work all over the world and his love for wildlife and family, to be stricken by such an insidious disease is heartbreaking.

I’m a man now turned 70 and looking at retirement from my working life as an independent carpenter and remodeler. For almost 14 years, I was tasked with caring for my mother who had dementia that had progressed with her aging and who passed years ago.

The long road is true and painful and difficult. Tears, anger, difficulties and frustrations will and do abound. The need to fully acknowledge and accept the reality of it all for one’s self preservation is the key.

No shame. No regrets. Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”—Gray Rideout | Tampa, Florida

mwagner@dispatch.com

@MikeWagner48

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jack Hanna Alzheimer's story is empowering people around the world