\u201cGood Morning America\u201d<\/a> on Monday, Ritter shared that he first noticed symptoms nearly two years ago. \u201cI realize I used to be forgetting people\u2019s names and places,\u201d Ritter recalled. \u201cDidn\u2019t know why this was happening.\u201d<\/p>\nThe longtime journalist said his wife, Kathleen, noticed changes as well, though he initially believed his demanding work schedule was likely accountable. In an effort to scale back stress and improve his sleep, Ritter began scaling back his responsibilities at ABC 7, first stepping away from the station\u2019s 11 p.m. broadcast and later exiting the 5 p.m. newscast so he could focus solely on anchoring the 6 p.m. show.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI used to be sleeping for the primary time at night; for the primary time in 25 years,\u201d Ritter explained. \u201cFinally getting a good night sleep and it wasn\u2019t convalescing.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Ritter decided it was time to hunt answers. \u201cWe said, \u2018I gotta get tested,\u2019 \u201d he recalled. \u201cAnd that basically was a crucial thing. A whole lot of people say, \u2018I\u2019m advantageous, don\u2019t worry about it, I\u2019m going to be advantageous.\u2019 No. You gotta go do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ritter Says He Was \u2018Scared\u2019 After Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\nRitter admitted his diagnosis immediately brought thoughts of his father, who died with Alzheimer\u2019s disease in 1998. \u201cMy first response was, I thought of my dad,\u201d Ritter said. \u201cThat was immediate. He just popped into my head.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter which a few seconds later, I used to be scared,\u201d he continued. \u201cI don\u2019t mind saying that. It was scary. Since it was like, \u2018Wait a minute, I\u2019m imagined to be doing this. What\u2019s happening here?\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
The Emmy-winning broadcaster said his focus quickly shifted to his family and the way the disease would affect them moving forward. \u201cI quickly moved into husband\/dad place,\u201d Ritter said. \u201cBecause Alzheimer\u2019s really affects the family most. As a dad and a husband, I said, \u2018I gotta cope with this. That is my family. And that\u2019s what I\u2019m really anxious about.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re the actual tough ones on this,\u201d he added. \u201cMy kids say, \u2018Dad, you\u2019re so brave in all this.\u2019 And I\u2019m not the one who’s brave. It\u2019s my kids and my wife who’re the brave ones. That\u2019s really the actual case here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill Ritter Says Honesty Led To His Retirement Announcement<\/h2>\nInstagram | Bill Ritter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRitter first revealed his diagnosis during Friday\u2019s Eyewitness News at 6, announcing it might be his final night anchoring this system. \u201cAfter a series of tests, my doctors have told me I even have Alzheimer\u2019s,\u201d Ritter told viewers. \u201cIt\u2019s \u2018early stage\u2019 Alzheimer\u2019s, and so they say the treatments I\u2019m getting are keeping it at bay. For now. But there isn’t a guarantee, because there\u2019s no cure yet for Alzheimer\u2019s. So, unless someone finds a tremendous cure, and shortly, tonight will likely be the last newscast I anchor.\u201d<\/p>\n
The longtime ABC 7 personality became emotional while explaining why he selected to be transparent with viewers. \u201cMy job as a journalist is to talk truthfully to the general public,\u201d Ritter said. \u201cTruth and facts is what we cope with. I figured I owed it to the viewers to be honest about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ritter Isn\u2019t Leaving Journalism Behind<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\nAlthough Ritter is stepping away from the anchor desk, he made clear he has no plans to retire completely. As an alternative, the veteran broadcaster will remain with ABC 7 in a brand new role focused on covering Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other related illnesses, including the financial and emotional toll they tackle families.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we’ve a chance,\u201d Ritter said while reflecting on the overwhelming response he received after sharing his diagnosis publicly. \u201cThere was such an outpouring this weekend of affection and support. This disease, obviously, doesn\u2019t care what your politics are because we\u2019re all on this together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill Ritter Plans To Raise Alzheimer\u2019s Awareness In Latest Role<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\nLooking ahead, Ritter said he hopes to proceed using journalism to bring awareness to the disease while helping others feel less alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter this interview, I\u2019m going to go to our Monday morning meeting at 9 a.m. \u2026 after which I\u2019m going to go to my desk and have day one in all the brand new job,\u201d Ritter said. \u201cAnd that will likely be to bring people into the tent, because I believe that\u2019s what we would like.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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