Emma Heming Willis, wife of legendary actor Bruce Willis, sharing their family’s journey in confronting Bruce’s diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The Willis family first unveiled Bruce’s health struggles to the public in March 2022. It was when they disclosed his diagnosis of aphasia, a condition that significantly impairs cognitive abilities. Subsequently, in February, they revealed the additional diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
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Emma Heming Willis Speaks on “TODAY”
Speaking on NBC’s “TODAY” show, Emma Heming Willis opened up about the family’s collective experience. She expressed, “What I’m learning is that dementia is hard. It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. And when they say that this is a family disease, it really is.”
As a devoted “care partner,” Heming Willis highlighted the importance of honesty and openness within their home when addressing the disease. She explained, “The most important thing was to be able, for us, to say what the disease was, explain what it is because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint, it sort of all makes sense. It was important that we let [our daughters] know what it is because I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad’s diagnosis or any form of dementia.”
The Willis family comprises two young daughters, while Bruce Willis, aged 68, has three adult daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore.
Emma Heming Willis chose to share her thoughts during World FTD Awareness Week, shining a light on frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It is a term encompassing a range of brain disorders impacting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, typically affecting personality, behavior, and language, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of FTD can vary significantly, with some individuals experiencing dramatic personality changes, impulsivity, or emotional detachment, while others may struggle with language difficulties. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for FTD. Still, medications can enhance the quality of life by alleviating symptoms like agitation, irritability, and depression, as stated by the National Institute on Aging.
Misdiagnoses and Challenges
Susan Wilkinson, the chief executive of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, shed light on the challenges associated with FTD diagnosis. She noted, “It’s one of the most confusing parts because it is less common. Most doctors aren’t familiar with it, so it can take almost four years for people to get diagnosed on average. … They accrue many misdiagnoses along the way. Often depression, bipolar disease, Alzheimer’s.”
When questioned whether Bruce Willis knows his condition, Emma Heming Willis candidly admitted, “Hard to know.” Wilkinson added, “What we know is that obviously the disease can start in the frontal and temporal lobes like the name signifies, and one of the things that the frontal lobe controls is self-insight. So we really don’t know. Some people, it’s the first thing they lose, any understanding that they themselves have changed, and other people retain that for a long time.”
Despite their immense challenges, Heming Willis referred to her husband’s diagnosis as “the blessing and the curse.” She spoke of Bruce as a profound source of love, patience, and resilience, teaching her and their family invaluable life lessons.
“Honestly, he is the gift that keeps on giving. Love. Patience. Resilience. So much, and he’s teaching me and our whole family. For me to be out here doing this, this is not my comfort zone. This is the power of Bruce,” she expressed.
Heming Willis maintained that, amidst the grief and sadness, “so many beautiful things are happening in our lives.” She emphasized that it’s essential to focus on the moments of joy, something Bruce would undoubtedly want for her and their family.
In sharing their journey, the Willis family serves as an inspiring example of how love, resilience, and open communication can help navigate the challenges of frontotemporal dementia, ultimately strengthening the family bonds and reminding us of the importance of cherishing life’s precious moments.
