Lonnie Ali Speaks Out About The Impact Taking On The Caregiver Role Has Had On Her Relationship With Husband Muhammad Ali In A New, Exclusive Interview With AARP Bulletin
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In a rare and candid interview at the couple's desert home in
As the primary caregiver of the boxing legend, Lonnie is every bit the inspiration her husband is to the more than 42 million Americans in this same role. And given newly released reports from
The following are excerpts from the June issue of AARP Bulletin's feature story, Caring for the Champ, in homes now and available online at www.aarp.org/bulletin:
On the Impact Being a Caregiver Has Had on Their Relationship
"The hardest part for any caregiver, whether it is a child, parent or spouse, is the relationship change."
"The relationship changes overtime with the illness. Physically, [patients] are not as mobile; they are not able to do things with you like they used to. The medications might affect their cognitive ability. They may not be able to speak as well…that is where you [transition] from a wife or a husband to a care partner or caregiver."
On
"I am so fortunate. I have a husband who doesn't complain about anything. He is not a moaner, a whiner or a poor-me kind of person. Muhammad has learned how to not sweat the small stuff. He is amazing that way."
"Parkinson's has taken away a lot from this man—a lot that would put people in bed, make them cover their heads and never look up. He has a lot to be depressed about…But I think he is secure in who he is, and about his place in history. That's not to say that Parkinson's hasn't changed him—it has. But he still has enough sense of self and dignity that he maintains."
On Dealing with Parkinson's Disease
"Everything now is about protecting him and making sure he is healthy…When there is influenza, we don't go to movies. We don't want him exposed."
"This is the beauty of Muhammad. He has made this illness, as horrible as it is, as much as it has taken away from him, serve him in some way."
"If there was ever anyone who always lands on his feet and comes out smelling like a rose, it is Muhammad. It is his remarkable attitude toward life. He never has let anything stand in his way."
"We are on this journey for a reason, I know that—whether it was to bring attention to this illness [or] whether it was to save his mortal soul."
Additional information and resources for caregivers are available on
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