Jon Snow's wife, Dr Precious Lunga, has given an emotional update on the Channel 4 News star's health after he publicly revealed his Alzheimer's disease diagnosis earlier this month. The veteran broadcaster confessed he was diagnosed with the condition three years ago but did not want to be 'written off' in his public life.
Gradual Process, Not a Cliff
Speaking to Anita Rani on Woman's Hour, Precious explained her husband's perspective: 'He felt that when someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's you're written off. And actually, it's not as if you fall off a cliff. It's a gradual degradation of the brain. It's a disease and it takes time, it's a gradual process, so it doesn't mean you still can't contribute in the world. And he still felt that he had so much to give.'
Depression After Retirement
Precious revealed that after Jon retired, he went into a deep depression that lasted about six months. 'After that period, he began to develop symptoms. Depression can sometimes be a trigger for Alzheimer's,' she said. Jon's mother Joan also battled the condition for a decade before she died.
Memory Struggles
Earlier this month, Precious shared with the Daily Mail that friends kept asking if Jon was alright, and she would have to lie and say he was fine, though she knew he wasn't. Jon would tell her 'Nobody ever rings [me], I'm forgotten,' when in reality he had simply forgotten about phone calls with friends.
Despite his diagnosis, Jon says he does not 'feel disabled in any way' and sometimes 'doubts whether he's really got' the condition. A documentary about his struggle is set to air on Saturday, June 20 at 8pm on Channel 4.
