Whether you’ve experienced the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in your family, witnessed it from afar, or read about it, one thing is universally true: It’s agonizing.
But as painful as it is to endure this neurodegenerative disease, there’s a lot to learn from it. Paralympic sprinter and four-time medalist Nick Mayhugh lives with cerebral palsy—and witnessing his grandfather’s journey with Alzheimer’s has helped him find greater strength in his own life. “As an athlete, I bring courage, determination, and inspiration to every competition,” he says. “This perseverance to push through adversity is something I learned from my grandfather.”
When he’s not training his body and mind for the next competition, Mayhugh focuses on spreading awareness for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and encouraging early conversations with health-care providers at the first signs of memory issues. “I wish I had more time with my grandfather and wish he could have seen me compete in the Paralympic games,” he says.
Here’s what his grandfather’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease and its symptoms has taught Mayhugh about perseverance—and what you can learn from it, too.
Living with an invisible illness takes courage
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, often beginning in the temporal lobes where memory is stored, says neurologist Julie Schwartzbard, MD, FAAN. This build-up, which can begin 20 or more years before memory loss and other symptoms develop, progressively destroys the memory and other important mental functions—and it all happens without clear, visible signs of illness.
“If a person is wearing a cast, we can assume they broke a bone,” Dr. Schwartzbard says. “However, Alzheimer’s disease is one of many conditions that is not apparent to the naked eye. This disconnect can make a patient and their loved ones feel misunderstood and overlooked, further isolating them from their community.”
Mayhugh’s grandfather was a long-time radio host, and his Alzheimer’s disease symptoms started out subtly. When mixing up words here and there progressed into forgetting details like names and dates, his family decided to bring him in for testing. As his cognitive issues became more frequent, his grandfather began to lose his autonomy and rely more on others—which was difficult for Mayhugh to watch. “His diagnosis was surreal,” he says. “My family initially dismissed his memory and thinking issues as something that just happens as you age. So, to discover it was something more serious was devastating.”
This experience was not unlike Mayhugh’s, whose cerebral palsy diagnosis also came as a surprise. It wasn’t until he was 14 that doctors pinpointed the neurological disorder, which affects body movement and muscle coordination. After being diagnosed, Mayhugh found courage in remembering his grandfather’s perseverance and the strong relationship they shared. Drawing on that memory helped him adjust his life and become the successful athlete he is today.
Staying resilient is key
Caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s, before or after a diagnosis, can be taxing. In some cases, loved ones (often referred to as “invisible second patients”) experience an increase in social isolation, financial hardships, and declining physical health.
Mayhugh remembers watching his family, grandfather included, stay resilient as the disease progressed. As his grandfather began misplacing things, forgetting names and dates, and showing difficulty in completing familiar tasks, Mayhugh stayed focused on his grandfather’s strength and channeled that energy into his athletics.
“As a track and field athlete and someone living with cerebral palsy, I know the importance of a strong start—that led me to win three gold medals at Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020,” Mayhugh says. “Now I want those living with Alzheimer’s to have a strong start on their journey by taking the steps necessary to get diagnosed as early and accurately as possible.”
Never stop advocating for yourself (and your loved ones)
It’s easy to wave Alzheimer’s disease symptoms off as signs of early aging. But it’s essential that people better understand the underlying causes of memory and thinking issues, so you can identify symptoms in your loved ones, determine a possible diagnosis, and begin exploring potential treatment options. “The earlier the diagnosis can be made, the earlier intervention can begin,” Dr. Schwartzbard says.
Looking back, Mayhugh wishes he and his family had more readily identified the onset of cognitive issues—and advocated for his grandfather. “The little things are important,” he says, “so while it may seem like some of the symptoms are normal with aging, it is essential to see a doctor.” He believes that having earlier conversations with health-care providers could have offered his family more opportunities to make informed decisions about his grandfather’s health and given them more valuable time together.
At the end of the day, Alzheimer’s is grueling for patients and loved ones alike. But there’s so much we can learn from people living with the disease. Take it from Mayhugh: Witnessing a journey like this can help you navigate your own challenges with more strength and more perseverance—and help you make the most of your time with the people you love.
Nick Mayhugh is proud to be working with Eli Lilly and Company in their partnership with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to support Team USA in Paris and show America what’s possible when we don’t accept the odds that stand in the way of our goals.
If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit https://www.morethannormalaging.lilly.com/ and sign up on the site to receive the latest information on memory and thinking issues.
