One of America's most beloved and famous pilots is opening up about his Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. Here is what he has to say about the diagnosis and how he will not let it define him.

Sully Shares Details About Alzheimer's Battle

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III is best known for his heroic landing of a US Airways jet in the Hudson River in January of 2009. Sullenberger was forced to make the emergency landing of Flight 1549 after a bird flew into one of the plane's engines. The pilot was credited with saving all 155 passengers and crew, launching him into American aviation history as a true hero.

Now the former pilot is sharing details about his Alzheimer's diagnosis, hoping to educate others about the disease while also providing hope.

Sullenberger recently opened up to People magazine about his early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis. He shared that he began noticing that he was having difficulties recalling details a little over a year ago. At this point in the disease progression, Sullenberger notes that he often struggles with recalling names as well as with problems sleeping.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Sullenberger is one of about 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and over currently living with this disease. Sullenberger said that his doctor at UCSF Medical Center has helped him to see just how prevalent this irreversible brain disorder is.

Sullenberger's wife, Lorrie, says that the diagnosis has not impacted her husband's ability to focus and remain a steady influence in the lives of his two daughters and granddaughter. Lorrie told People that "Just as he was the same steady person before and after Flight 1549, he is the same steady person now, before and after this diagnosis.” While Lorrie acknowledged that the future is uncertain, she said that "we continue to live our lives, have hope, and find joy in the everyday."

The news of Sullenberger's diagnosis was not easy to hear for Jeff Skiles, Sully's first officer aboard that fateful US Airways flight. Capt. Skiles said that “Sully is larger than life, even to me." He went on to say that "He’s somebody that I’ve always looked up to and I think a lot of other people do, too. Hopefully, it’s going to progress slowly, and he’s going to be able to create the kind of life going forward that he would be proud of.”

Becoming an Advocate for Alzheimer's Awareness

In consultation with his two adult daughters and wife, Sullenberger said that he made the decision to go public with his diagnosis. Sullenberger said that he wanted to use his name recognition to let others battling the disorder know that they are not alone in the fight.

Sully said that despite the new challenges he faces as a result of the disease, he is looking at this chapter of his life as a continuation of his work. When speaking with People, Sullenberger said that “This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service. And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they, too, can step forward. And about hope. So many people told us after Flight 1549 that the outcome gave them hope. Lorrie, my incredible partner of 37 years, says we can all use a little of that hope right now.”

Sullenberger acknowledges that he is going to need to summon all of his courage in the days and months ahead. Fortunately for him, he has that trait in spades. When asked over the years about the unlikely successful outcome of that US Airways flight, he would note that "courage can be contagious," saying that courage was what helped all of the passengers and crew get off the sinking airplane and to safety.

Life is not stopping for the former commercial airline hero and U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. Next up is his induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September.

Until then, he plans on enjoying time with his wife and children. He recently gushed about becoming a grandparent for the first time, saying that his granddaughter "gives a whole new meaning to life."

Clay Presley, a passenger on Flight 1549 and now a friend to Sullenberger, was recently appointed to serve as a board member of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon learning about his friend's diagnosis, he recalled a conversation that the pair once had. During that talk, Presley asked him if the crash landing was the defining moment of his life. Sully's response was "No, I have so much more I want to accomplish."

Presley is certain that this latest challenge will be yet another opportunity for Sullenberger to accomplish even more things in life.

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