Susan Schneider, widow of Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams, released a statement Thursday announcing that before Williams death, he was suffering from the beginning stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Preliminary reports have shown that the cause of death was due to asphyxiation. It will still take many weeks for the official cause of death and toxicology reports to be released.
For many of us, this death was a shock. Williams was such an inspiration to all of us. Hopefully, from this unfortunate tragedy, more help and support can be given to the millions of sufferers of depression and anxiety as well as all the sufferers of Parkinson’s Disease.
Here is Schneider’s full statement:
Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the frontlines, or comforting a sick child — Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.
Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched. His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.
Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly.
It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.
For more information and how to get help dealing with depression/anxiety, go to http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
For more information on Parkinson’s Disease and the early warning signs, please visit: http://www.parkinson.org/parkinson-s-disease/pd-101/10-early-warning-signs-of-parkinson-s-disease
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com
