Emma Heming Willis, aged 45, is caring for her husband Bruce Willis, aged 68, as he battles frontotemporal dementia following an initial diagnosis of aphasia. Despite retiring from acting, Emma insists that there is still much joy for Bruce to experience in life.
In response to headlines claiming that Bruce has "no more joy" left, Emma took to social media to set the record straight. She emphasized that these claims are far from the truth and urged society and the media to stop spreading fear.
Emma stated that receiving a diagnosis of a neurocognitive disease does not mean life is over, and there is still much to see and do. She emphasized that it is the complete opposite of giving up and encouraged people not to be scared by such headlines.
She went on to say: "I always tell my children to meet people where they are and focus on what is, rather than what isn't. There is beauty, sweetness, love, and joy to be found in every situation." She acknowledged that conflicting emotions can coexist, such as grief and love, sadness and connection, trauma and resilience.
She also discussed the impact of negative portrayals of dementia on caregivers, stating: "Caregivers already face many challenges in providing support. Headlines that constantly emphasize the negative aspects of dementia can be detrimental to their well-being and support system. They may also discourage potential helpers from offering assistance."
"I urge you to reconsider changing the negative portrayal of dementia. It would be a compassionate gesture towards future caregivers and their loved ones."
Bruce received his diagnosis in February 2023, but he is not the only celebrity facing dementia. Wendy Williams, a TV icon at 59, has also been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia.
In a statement released by her care team, it was announced that Wendy has been facing challenges with processing information in recent years. Concerns have been raised about her condition, especially as she began to experience difficulties with language, erratic behavior, and understanding financial matters.
The decision to disclose this information was not taken lightly, but was made in order to promote understanding and empathy for Wendy, as well as to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia for the benefit of others in similar situations.
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