Harry Potter film artist Drew Struzan's wife opens up about the illustrator's Alzheimer's battle

If you enjoy Harry Potter movies or films in general, there is a strong chance that you are a fan of Drew Struzan. The 78-year-old illustrator has done the posters for such movies as Star Wars, Blade Runner, and The Shawshank Redemption. His wif Dylan has now addressed a matter of a disease that was diagnosed several years ago.

What do we know about Drew's Alzheimer's diagnosis?

Express shared the details of this remarkable and hard-working artist's condition, but the original post was on Drew's Instagram account.

Excerpted from the post, we learned that "several years ago, Drew was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease." Dylan describes "the early stages [as a] slow progression of forgetfulness" and explains that "neurotransmitters can no longer transmit a thought...Forgetfulness is often what we think of when the disease is mentioned the brain malfunctioning."

There is compassion and pain in her statement that people with Alzheimer's forget things that they've learned throughout life, "like how to stand (balance), how to walk, how to talk how to control your bodily functions, how to make decisions, how to do most everything we do." While Drew has been following doctors' recommendations to fight the disease, it takes a toll on coordination.

"The loss of coordination of moving the information from the brain to a functional expression short-changes abilities. Drew can no longer paint or sign things for you. He is not enjoying a well-deserved retirement but rather fighting for his life."

Dylan Struzan

Says Dylan, "He hears all the comments you have left here...it encourages him." Dylan then asks followers to "keep sharing your thoughts and experiences. It keeps him smiling through these difficult days." She says that she can "rely on our 60 years of marriage working as a team to remember for him," but urges those who have loved his work to "keep remembering for him as well."

It's hard to imagine Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone poster without taking note of his creative vision. Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter meets our gaze head on, with Hermione at his right hand and Ron acting as his second. Dumbledore has his back while Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape take an interest in his actions. Neville stands at the ready to the far left and Hagrid seems to stand protectively in front. Griphook is almost overlooked, but included in this cast of formative influences. Of course there's a portrait of the loathsome Dursleys, but soaring above it all is Hedwig imposed over a rendering of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Thanks to Drew, the single poster that started it all vivifies everything we remember about stepping into the world of Harry Potter.

We wish Drew and his family well as they continue this battle. And we will keep remembering for him.