When the speech was over, it was as if someone had pulled a plug and deflated him, he went back to the slack-jawed thorazine fueled thousand yard stare again, until he was led back off the podium...then color bars...end of stream.
What ever else Reagan was, he was a performer. At early stages of the disease, Alzheimer patients are able to hold up a mask of normality... to do what they are expected to do, to perform as they have for many years. The problems arise when they are stressed, or tired, or when they are asked to do something new and different, when analysis or attention to detail is required.
The reason that early alzhiemers is so hard to diagnose is precisely because these patients become so very adept at covering up the problem.
I was researching this topics... and came across the testimony of the "four doctors" who said Reagan showed no signs of Alzhiemers. THey confirmed that he was never specifically tested for Alzheimers.... this despite having an extensive family history of other relatives that suffered and died from this disease.!
Alzheimer's experts say most doctors fail to look for symptoms of Alzheimer's unless it is thrust on them, particularly if the patient is someone they like, are intimidated by or feel is important.
Dr. Ruge did not dispute the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, although he said the term was often used too loosely. But Mr. Reagan's failing memory may be caused by other factors related to the variety of medical problems that have affected Mr. Reagan over the years, Dr. Ruge said. Among them are the subdural hematoma, the numerous anesthetics he had for surgery on his colon and prostate and gunshot injuries, and the period when his blood pressure fell to dangerous levels from bleeding after the assassination attempt.
But, all this said, I also agree that what ever problems Reagan MAY have had, they were likely sufficiently minor as not to justify a transfer of power,
