Bruce Willis diagnosed with 'cruel' form of dementia
'FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone'
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Feb 16, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed as suffering from a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia, his family revealed on Thursday.
The Die Hard star’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared a photo of the 67-year-old actor on Instagram, telling followers that his condition has worsened since he revealed his aphasia diagnosis last year.
“Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing,” Emma wrote.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Aphasia is a neurological condition that leaves a person unable to communicate. According to the Mayo Clinic, aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language and “typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behaviour and language.”
“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” his family added in a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”
The statement continued, saying that Willis would want to spread attention about the disease.
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
Willis’ family shared the news of his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022, with his daughter Rumer announcing his retirement alongside a photo of her dad.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” she wrote.
She added that his family was “moving through this as a strong family unit” with the note signed by Emma, his former partner Demi Moore, and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
The note closed with the family pledging to follow Willis’ motto.
“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
Willis, whose career started in the early 1980s with a role in Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict, is most famous for playing New York City cop John McClane in the successful Die Hard franchise. He also starred in television’s Moonlighting, opposite Cybill Shepherd, Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, Looper, which opened the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and played David Dunn in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy
He’s been nominated for five Golden Globes (winning once for Moonlighting) and won two Emmys (for Moonlighting and a guest appearance on Friends).
mdaniell@postmedia.com
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'FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone'
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Feb 16, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed as suffering from a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia, his family revealed on Thursday.
The Die Hard star’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared a photo of the 67-year-old actor on Instagram, telling followers that his condition has worsened since he revealed his aphasia diagnosis last year.
“Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing,” Emma wrote.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Aphasia is a neurological condition that leaves a person unable to communicate. According to the Mayo Clinic, aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language and “typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behaviour and language.”
“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” his family added in a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”
The statement continued, saying that Willis would want to spread attention about the disease.
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
Willis’ family shared the news of his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022, with his daughter Rumer announcing his retirement alongside a photo of her dad.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” she wrote.
She added that his family was “moving through this as a strong family unit” with the note signed by Emma, his former partner Demi Moore, and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
The note closed with the family pledging to follow Willis’ motto.
“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
Willis, whose career started in the early 1980s with a role in Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict, is most famous for playing New York City cop John McClane in the successful Die Hard franchise. He also starred in television’s Moonlighting, opposite Cybill Shepherd, Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, Looper, which opened the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and played David Dunn in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy
He’s been nominated for five Golden Globes (winning once for Moonlighting) and won two Emmys (for Moonlighting and a guest appearance on Friends).
mdaniell@postmedia.com
Emma Heming Willis on Instagram: "Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that
1M likes, 7,636 comments - emmahemingwillis on February 16, 2023: "Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we ha...".
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Frontotemporal dementia - Symptoms and causes
mayoclinic.org
Aphasia: Communications disorder can be disabling-Aphasia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Some conditions, including stroke or head injury, can seriously affect a person's ability to communicate. Learn about this communication disorder and its care.
mayoclinic.org
Bruce Willis diagnosed with 'cruel' form of dementia
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed as suffering from a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia, his family revealed on Thursday.
