2. THE DIAGNOSIS
After surviving and assassination attempt, which made the American public hail
Reagan as a heroic figure, it was Alzheimer’s that damped Reagan’s public career and
life.
On November 5, 1994, Reagan wrote a letter to the American public
announcing that he has been afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in hopes of raising
more awareness to the disease.
In the letter, he states that he regrets the toll that this disease will take on his
family, especially on Nancy who was previously diagnosed with breast cancer.
4. SHORT ANALYSIS OF HIS
LETTER
Despite having been out of office for 5 years, Reagan’s delivery of his
letter still somehow seems like he is the sitting president and is fulfilling
his obligation to the American public.
Throughout his whole letter he constantly references Nancy, it is
almost as if its in a way of love letter to Nancy and to the American
people at the same time.
“I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful
experience.” –Ronald Reagan
5. CONTROVERSIES
Although Reagan was officially diagnosed in 1994, there are still
some debate on whether or not Reagan had Alzheimer's while in
office.
As noted in a New York Times article, even before Reagan was
elected president, his mental state was in question.
This was partially due to changes in his speaking patterns and his
forgetfulness.
6. FINAL DAYS
While Alzheimer’s was undoubtedly a factor in causing Reagan’s
death, it was pneumonia that coupled with the already known
Alzheimer’s disease that took Reagan’s life.
During his final days, both his daughter Patti, and his wife Nancy
were constantly by his bedside.
According to Patti’s account, during the last three days Nancy cried
and sobbed in the arms of her daughter.
7. FINAL MOMENTS
“In his last moment, he taught
me that there is nothing stronger
than love between two people, two
souls...it was the last thing he could
do in this world to show my mother
how entwined their souls are...and it
was everything.” –Patti Davis
Reagan died at age 93 in Los
Angeles, California.
8. HIS FUNERAL
Over 100,000 mourners passed by his coffin at the presidential library in California.
He had a state funeral and a national (private) funeral.
All 3 children spoke at the funeral.
In comparison to his funeral, other funerals seemed less engaging. Gerald Ford’s
private funeral appeared to received less coverage than Reagan’s. You could definitely feel
the love the American people had for Reagan.
Margaret Thatcher even had prerecorded message on behalf of Reagan’s passing.
(The two remained great friends even after Reagan left office)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AueSguxwhJE
11. REMEMBERING “THE
GREAT COMMUNICATOR”
Many remember Reagan for his speech at the Berlin Wall where he
stated “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
He was credited with helping to win the Cold War and for expanding
the American economy.
Many politicians associate themselves with Reagan and his limited
government vision. He once stated, “In this present crisis, government is
not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
12. CONTINUING TO
REMEMBER REAGAN
In 2010, Reagan led the list of Republicans people wish to see
added to the faces on Mount Rushmore.
Ronald Reagan is often remembered for his way of
communicating with the American people and with individuals
abroad.
He is truly one of the most memorable Republican Presidents of
all time.
13.
14. SOURCES
Reagan, Ronald. "Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration."
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration. University of Texas, n.d.
Web. 21 July 2015. <http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/alzheimerletter.html>.
"Reagan's Final Moments." Msnbc.com. N.p., 09 June 2004. Web. 21 July 2015.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5164869/ns/msnbc-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/t/reagans-final-
moments/#.Va237MZViko.
Altman, Lawrence K. "Parsing Ronald Reagan’s Words for Early Signs of Alzheimer’s." The New York
Times. The New York Times, 30 Mar. 2015. Web. 21 July 2015.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/health/parsing-ronald-reagans-words-for-early-signs-of-
alzheimers.html>.
Chumly, Cheryl K. "Remembering Ronald Reagan: ‘The Great Communicator’ Died 10 Years Ago Today."
The Washington Times. N.p., 5 June 2014. Web. 22 July 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtontimes.com%2Fnews%2F2014%2Fjun%2F5%2Fremembering-ronald-
reagan-great-communicator-died-%2F>.
