Robin Williams' wife says his fight against Lewy Body Disease was "the biggest battle of his life".
Susan Schneider believes her 63-year-old husband committed suicide in
August 2014 because of the debilitating brain disease, which is the
second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's
and causes heightened levels of anxiety, delusions and impaired
movement.
The disease was only diagnosed after an autopsy was carried out
following his death, and Susan has now joined forces with the American
Brain Foundation to "cure all brain disease".
Speaking as she accepted the 2016 Angel Harvey Heart of a Patriot Award
from the USO on Robin's behalf in Chicago over the weekend, Susan said:
"The biggest battle of his life was against Lewy Body Disease. This
terrifying disease attacks the brain. No matter how many doctors we saw,
symptoms we chased, or tests we ran, it was only in autopsy that I
learned we had unknowingly been battling a deadly disease. A disease for
which there is no cure. The devastation on Robin's brain from the Lewy
bodies, was one of the worst cases medical professionals have ever seen.
Yet throughout all of this, his heart remained strong.
"In 1945 the American Cancer Society put all forms of cancer on the
collective map and called it 'cancer'. They saw it as one disease and
set out to attack each manifestation of it. It is time we take the same
approach with the brain - combining medical knowledge, funding, research
and efforts to look at brain disease as a whole.
I have joined forces
with the American Brain Foundation and have taken up their noble
mission: to cure all brain disease. Together we can usher in a new era
of brain care where early detection, cures and ultimately prevention
become reality."
Susan compared Robin's battle to that of America's servicemen and women
and said her love for him had helped her to cope since his death.
She explained: "I'm here with you because of my husband's heart. Robin
absolutely had the heart of a patriot. I cannot think of a more fitting
award for him, nor one that he would be more proud to receive,
especially in the presence of all of you.
Robin was also a warrior, and
like so many of our finest servicemen and women he had battles to face.
"I stand hopeful before all of you. The love my husband and I have
shared has been my beacon and my guide. The love all of you give by your
choice to take your worst days and use them to give someone their best
days - that devotion and caring for others is my strength."