Many people consider him a legend.

Richard "Cactus" Pryor has spent more than 60 years in broadcasting, both in television and radio.

It wasn't until recently that he opened up about his personal struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Pryor was diagnosed nearly two years ago.

Despite the difficulties often associated with Alzheimer's, he decided to go public with his disease, in hopes of helping others.

The Austin native now delivers daily commentaries on KLBJ radio.

"If you're still alive after 84 years, you got a lot to talk about and pictures on the wall," he said.

Pryor's vivid stories are rich with history -- but some of the details, are now a bit hazy.

"We began to notice that it was harder and harder for cactus to remember and make connections. It was harder to keep time in sequence," said his wife Peggy Davis Pryor.

"Probably I had it long before that, and just didn't notice it," said Cactus Pryor.

Last week, he shared his very personal story with his listeners.

"I'd like to have the chance to talk to the people who are having the same problem, that it ain't all hell. There's a lot of positives and you can still have fun, enjoy, and give, and so that's why I wanted to talk to you," he said.

Cactus Pryor admits he now works a little more slowly, and has a lot of trouble remembering names.

"I don't remember any of the names of the people in this place. 130 of them, 140 of them, but I know their faces, and we laugh about it. I give everybody a name. Ralph, Jessie Lou," he said.

"It's frustrating, but at the same time, we're adapting to it and we just kind of jump in and help him along," said Don Pryor, Cactus Pryor's son.

Don Pryor says his father's disease is bitter sweet.

"It's a hard thing to watch sometimes, but at the same time, it can be an amazing thing to watch. The way he fights and he's just not going to give up," said Don Pryor.

"This ain't going to be such a bad thing. I can use it for excuses all the time. I didn't do that because I've got this disease," said Cactus Pryor.

With the help of his family and friends -- and his sense of humor -- Cactus Pryor will continue to share a lifetime of memories with his listeners.

Cactus Pryor is taking some medications to slow the progression of the disease, but there is no cure for Alzheimer's.

This weekend there's a walk benefiting the Alzheimer's Association.

It's set for Saturday morning at Austin High School.