Caring for a loved one with dementia is anything but easy. That’s part of the reason why Bruce Willis’ family is so open about their experience — they’re spreading awareness. In doing so, they’re inspiring others with the ways they come together in order to ensure that the remainder of Willis’ life is as fulfilling as possible.
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Initially, the beloved actor was diagnosed with aphasia in March 2022. This is when a person struggles to speak, write, and understand others. Then, as his condition worsened, he was given the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. He officially retired from acting in 2022. Ever since, his family has been by his side to help him, including his ex-wife Demi Moore.
Happy birthday, BW! So glad we could celebrate you today. Love you and love our family.
— Demi Moore (@justdemi) March 20, 2023
Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes – we all feel them. pic.twitter.com/vcb50QP9hr
Together, Moore and Willis have three children: Rumer (35), Scout (32), and Tallulah (29). The pair split in 2000. Although their relationship ended, and Willis married a woman named Emma in 2009, they’ve managed to remain great friends. In fact, you’ll often find Moore at family events.
“Happy birthday, BW!” Moore writes when sharing a video of his birthday celebration. “So glad we could celebrate you today. Love you and love our family. Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes — we all feel them.”
Bruce Willis Feels the Love From His Family After Dementia Diagnosis
Willis’ family loves to share the joyful moments between them, but they also don’t shy away from sharing the difficult ones, too. In an Instagram video, Emma admits that days like his birthday and anniversaries can be particularly difficult.
“Today is one of those days of feeling the grief and sadness,” Emma shares. “But the silver lining or the flip side is that I’m so lucky to feel your warmth and love that is directed to my husband and our family.”
So much has changed since Willis’ diagnosis, but they’re grateful that much of his personality remains. His particular illness is FTD. Unlike other types of dementia, it affects communication and behavior instead of memory.
Bruce Willis’ Family Inspire Others On Similar Journeys
This makes raising the two kids he has with Emma difficult, of course, but she’s grateful for the positive impact he has on their lives nonetheless. Their kids include 11-year-old Mabel and 9-year-old Evelyn.
“Where it might not be ‘conventional,’ what he’s teaching them will span generations,” reads Emma’s message on Father’s Day last year. “Unconditional love, kindness, strength, compassion, patience, generosity, resilience. Happy Father’s Day to the greatest dad I know, who will forever be the gift that keeps giving within our family.”
Although a dementia diagnosis is a life-changing event for families as a whole, the Willis family are leaning on one another for comfort, support, and joy. This is something they hope that every family in their situation are able to do in their own way, no matter what their family looks like.
“I have to make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life that I can,” Emma says. “I do that for myself. I do that for our two children and Bruce, who would not want me to live any other way.”
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