Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroic emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009, announced on a Tuesday that he is facing an early-stage Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. In a social media post, Sullenberger shared that, “For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey.” His announcement was initially shared by People magazine.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain condition that affects memory and cognitive abilities. It is the leading cause of dementia and currently has no cure.

Sullenberger became famous for his quick decision-making during US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. After a bird strike caused both engines to fail shortly after takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, he opted for an emergency water landing in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew members were successfully evacuated and rescued, with no fatalities. This act of airmanship was later dubbed the “Miracle on the Hudson” and was depicted in the 2016 film “Sully.”

Following his career as a pilot, Sullenberger worked as an on-air aviation safety expert for CBS News. He has become an advocate for aviation safety over the years.

Since his diagnosis, Sullenberger has become more aware of how widespread Alzheimer’s is, with over 7 million Americans affected according to data from the Alzheimer’s Association. He expressed a desire for others with the condition to speak out, stating, “Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully. Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”