On December 6, the Robertson family, famous from the show Duck Dynasty, revealed Phil Robertson’s Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis.
During an episode of Unashamed, a podcast Phil usually hosts with his sons Jase and Al Robertson, the brothers revealed that their father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. They said on the podcast that they had just seen their dad that morning after a duck hunt and that he was not doing well.
“According to the doctors, they’re sure he has some sort of blood disease that’s causing all kinds of problems,” Jase said. “It’s causing problems with his entire body. And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”
Phil, 78, hopes to return to Unashamed, but he cannot “walk without crying out in pain.” Jase adds that his “memory is not what it once was.”
Al added, “There are some days he’ll be a little more with it, and other days not so much.”
Knowing that there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, Jase says that they are just trying to make their dad comfortable.
Of course, we know the Robertson family from their hit reality show Duck Dynasty, and now their historic film The Blind.
The Roberston Family Speaks Out
In the following days after Phil’s diagnosis was revealed, his children and grandchildren have taken to social media to thank their fans for their support amid this emotional time.
Willie Robertson, Phil’s son, shared a faith-filled message on December 9, saying, “Occasionally, life throws you these situations that are hard to put into words. Amid all the love, support, and accolades in regards to my father Phil, it would [have] seemed that he has passed away from this life, but he hasn’t. He is still alive, maybe not well, but very much alive. While his brain doesn’t process as quickly as it used to, he can still communicate with people the ideas that are most important to him. In fact, it’s a more loving and reflective way than I have ever witnessed before.”
Willie’s daughter (and Phil’s granddaughter) Sadie Robertson Huff took to Instagram and spoke about her grandfather’s passion for ministry, one in which she shares.
“There are a lot of people I look up to in ministry, but I wanted to post this picture of me literally looking up to Papaw Phil because as ‘impressive’ as his ministry has become in that he has spoken to millions and millions… the most impressionable thing to me was how he ministered to every single person who stepped in his door and sat on the couch beside his iconic chair.”
Phyllis, Phil’s daughter who he first met four years ago, also had an emotional response to his diagnosis. She wrote about how grateful she was to have found him a few years ago and for him and Miss Kay to take her and her family in as though no time has passed. In fact, Phyllis and her husband moved in next door.
She wrote, “I may not know all of the answers to every question I have, but what I do know is that God is close to the broken hearted. My God has always been near and will continue to be as we process how life has been changing and will continue to change as time goes on. And if I know one thing about my dad, it is that he’s going to let every moment continue to bring glory to his Heavenly Father.”
Korie Robertson Thanks Her Followers For Their Support
One of Phil’s daughter-in-laws, Korie, shared several photos of her children and grandchildren with Phil over the years. Korie, who is Willie’s wife, said she has been “overwhelmed” with support from her followers.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with your beautiful messages of love and prayers for Phil, Miss Kay and our whole family after the news of Phil’s medical diagnosis,” she wrote. “It’s been incredible to hear from the thousands, likely millions he has touched through living a life so passionately pursuing Jesus and loving others enough to tell them about him.”
Korie continued, “I’m so thankful for the many meals around the dinner table and the way Phil has lead [sic] our family in prayer to be grateful to God for all things, grateful for this time on planet earth. Thankful that you all got to join us in that through our show. As you well know, Phil’s hope is in something far greater than the momentary troubles of this illness. He would definitely want me to remind you that hope is for you too. Jesus is where it is found.”
See her full post below.