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Capt. ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ pilot, announces Alzheimer’s diagnosis
By Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
(Gray News) - Retired pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.Sullenberger made the announcement on Tuesday. “I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an early stage. For now, this means a name may not come easily to...
Key takeaway Sullenberger grabbed headlines in January 2009 as the US Airways captain who managed to land a plane full of people in the Hudson River without a loss of life despite the aircraft losing thrust in both engines.
Why this matters in The Midland
As the Permian Basin community learns of Capt. Sully Sullenberger's Alzheimer's diagnosis, it's a reminder that this disease affects families across our region. With an estimated 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, it's likely that many Midland residents are caring for a loved one with the disease or know someone who is. Sullenberger's courage in sharing his story may inspire others in our community to speak openly about their own experiences with Alzheimer's, reducing the stigma associated with the disease. His announcement also highlights the importance of local support services for families affected by Alzheimer's, such as caregiver support groups and educational resources. As Sullenberger begins this new chapter, his message of hope and courage may resonate with Midland families who are facing similar challenges, encouraging them to seek help and support from their community.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) - Retired pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.Sullenberger made the announcement on Tuesday. “I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an early stage. For now, this means a name may not come easily to...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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