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Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with dementia, and his wife, Emma Hemming Willis, has spoken about the difficulties and lessons learned amid the actor’s health journey.
In an article in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, Emma talks about the “guilt” she feels knowing there are other people in a similar situation to her without the resources the Willis family has.
“I struggle with guilt, because I know I have resources that others don’t. When I can go for a walk to clear my head, it doesn’t escape me that not all care partners can do that,” she wrote. “When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention “I know that there are many thousands of untold and unheard stories, and each of them deserves compassion and attention.”
However, Emma hopes that bringing attention to frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD, will help others “feel seen and understood”.
“I want people to know that when I hear from another family affected by frontotemporal dementia, I hear our family’s same story of grief, loss, and intense grief echoed in their story,” she adds. “It’s important for me to be an advocate for those families who don’t have the time, energy, or resources to defend themselves.
Emma says she has “more hope today than I did after Bruce was first diagnosed.”
She continued, “I understand this disease more now, and I am now connected to a wonderful support community.” “I have hope to find a new purpose — one I could never have sought — to use my lights to help and empower others. I have hope that our entire family will find joy in the little things, and in coming together to celebrate all the moments life has to offer.”
Although Emma says she has “a lot to learn about frontotemporal dementia,” she finds her footing in closing, saying, “As much as I grieve this experience daily — as I know so many others do — I also know that it has made me stronger than I was before.” “. Ever thought it was possible.
“Lifelong beer expert. General travel enthusiast. Social media buff. Zombie maven. Communicator.”