But as painful as it is to endure this neurodegenerative disease, theres a lot to learn from it.
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.
If a person is wearing a cast, we can assume they broke a bone, Dr. Schwartzbard says.
However, Alzheimers disease is one of many conditions that is not apparent to the naked eye.
Mayhughs grandfather was a long-time radio host, and his Alzheimers disease symptoms started out subtly.
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 Mayhughs, whose cerebral palsy diagnosis also came as a surprise.
After being diagnosed, Mayhugh found courage in remembering his grandfathers perseverance and the strong relationship they shared.
Drawing on that memory helped him adjust his life and become the successful athlete he is today.
Mayhugh remembers watching his family, grandfather included, stay resilient as the disease progressed.
The earlier the diagnosis can be made, the earlier intervention can begin, Dr. Schwartzbard says.
At the end of the day, Alzheimers is grueling for patients and loved ones alike.
But theres so much we can learn from people living with the disease.
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