Emma Heming Willis opened up about husband Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis in a recent interview, admitting that she’s felt “guilt” over accessing “resources” amid his battle.
“After I’m capable of get out for a hike to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can try this,” Heming Willis, 45, wrote in a Saturday, November 11, article for Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper. “When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention, I do know that there are numerous hundreds of untold, unheard stories, each of them deserving of compassion and concern.”
On account of her privilege, Heming Willis noted that it’s “vital” for her to proceed to be an advocate and to be sure that others who “don’t have the time, energy, or resources to advocate for themselves … feel seen and understood.”
She continued: “I would like people to know that once I hear from one other family affected by FTD, I hear our family’s same story of grief, loss, and immense sadness echoed in theirs.”
Heming Willis — alongside her blended family with the “Die Hard” actor and Demi Moore — revealed in March 2022 that Willis was stepping away from acting amid his battle with aphasia. In February, they gave an update, noting that Willis was given a “more specific diagnosis” of frontotemporal dementia.
“While that is painful, it’s a relief to finally have a transparent diagnosis,” the family said in an announcement on the time. “FTD is a cruel disease that lots of us have never heard of and may strike anyone.”
“Bruce has at all times found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the identical. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us,” they continued. “We now have been so moved by the love you’ve all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to assist Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
Hemig Willis shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with Willis. He’s also dad to daughters Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29, with Moore, 61.
Tallulah, for her part, revealed that her dad’s condition is “really aggressive” and “very rare” during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” last week.
“He is identical, which I feel on this regard I’ve learned is the very best thing you possibly can ask for,” she explained. “I see love once I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is admittedly special.”
“On one hand, it’s who we’re as a family, but in addition, it’s really vital for us to spread awareness,” she continued. “If we will take something that we’re scuffling with as a family to assist other people, to show it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us. And a part of what’s been a very beautiful way for me to heal through that is becoming like an archeologist to my dad’s world, to his little trinkets and doodads.”
Heming Willis previously spoke about her husband in a tearful interview with the “Today” show. On the time, she noted that “it’s hard to know” if the actor is privy to his condition.
“Dementia is difficult,” Heming Willis told Hoda Kotb. “It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family. And that isn’t any different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. After they say it is a family disease, it truly is.”
Emma Heming Willis opened up about husband Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis in a recent interview, admitting that she’s felt “guilt” over accessing “resources” amid his battle.
“After I’m capable of get out for a hike to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can try this,” Heming Willis, 45, wrote in a Saturday, November 11, article for Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper. “When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention, I do know that there are numerous hundreds of untold, unheard stories, each of them deserving of compassion and concern.”
On account of her privilege, Heming Willis noted that it’s “vital” for her to proceed to be an advocate and to be sure that others who “don’t have the time, energy, or resources to advocate for themselves … feel seen and understood.”
She continued: “I would like people to know that once I hear from one other family affected by FTD, I hear our family’s same story of grief, loss, and immense sadness echoed in theirs.”
Heming Willis — alongside her blended family with the “Die Hard” actor and Demi Moore — revealed in March 2022 that Willis was stepping away from acting amid his battle with aphasia. In February, they gave an update, noting that Willis was given a “more specific diagnosis” of frontotemporal dementia.
“While that is painful, it’s a relief to finally have a transparent diagnosis,” the family said in an announcement on the time. “FTD is a cruel disease that lots of us have never heard of and may strike anyone.”
“Bruce has at all times found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the identical. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us,” they continued. “We now have been so moved by the love you’ve all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to assist Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
Hemig Willis shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with Willis. He’s also dad to daughters Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29, with Moore, 61.
Tallulah, for her part, revealed that her dad’s condition is “really aggressive” and “very rare” during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” last week.
“He is identical, which I feel on this regard I’ve learned is the very best thing you possibly can ask for,” she explained. “I see love once I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is admittedly special.”
“On one hand, it’s who we’re as a family, but in addition, it’s really vital for us to spread awareness,” she continued. “If we will take something that we’re scuffling with as a family to assist other people, to show it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us. And a part of what’s been a very beautiful way for me to heal through that is becoming like an archeologist to my dad’s world, to his little trinkets and doodads.”
Heming Willis previously spoke about her husband in a tearful interview with the “Today” show. On the time, she noted that “it’s hard to know” if the actor is privy to his condition.
“Dementia is difficult,” Heming Willis told Hoda Kotb. “It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family. And that isn’t any different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. After they say it is a family disease, it truly is.”
