Bruce Willis’ wife has opened up about struggling with guilt and having resources that others don’t have amid her legendary actor husband’s battle with dementia, just a month after Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron posted a heartbreaking update indicated that ‘he is not entirely verbal.’
Emma Heming, 45, shared that she is the support system for the 68-year-old retired actor and revealed that even if the process was tough, she has gained a much more positive outlook now that her husband has frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
The British and American models wrote a powerful opinion piece for it Maria Shriver’s Sunday paper as she got candid while writing, “I struggle with guilt knowing I have resources that others don’t.
‘If I can take a walk to clear my head, it is not lost on me that not all care partners can do that. If what I share about our family’s journey gets the attention of the press, I know there are many thousands of untold, unheard stories, all deserving of compassion and care.”
Support system: Emma Heming, 45, opens up about her struggles with guilt and having resources that others don’t have amid her legendary actor husband Bruce Willis’ battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD); the couple is pictured in August 2010
Emma went on to explain that it is a double-edged sword because even though it weighs heavily on her conscience, she knows that being so open about the issues can help others.
She continues, “At the same time, I see that what I share is important to others who may be struggling, and that in some small way they feel seen and understood. I want people to know that when I hear from another family affected by FTD, I hear the same story of grief, loss and immense sadness from our family in their family.
“It is important to me to be an advocate on behalf of those families who do not have the time, energy or resources to advocate for themselves.”
She ended the piece on a very powerful note as she revealed that the one thing that kept her going through all the trials and tribulations was faith.
Emma wrote: ‘I feel so much more hopeful today than I did after Bruce was first diagnosed. I now understand this disease better and am now connected to an incredible community of support.
“I am hopeful that I have found a new purpose – which I admittedly would never have sought out – by using the spotlight to help and empower others. And I have hope in how our entire family can find joy in the little things, and in coming together to celebrate all the moments life has to offer.
“I know I still have so much to learn about FTD, this community and how research into the disease is evolving. But I find my footing. As much as I regret this experience every day – as I know so many others do – I also know that it has made me stronger than I ever thought possible.”
This comes weeks after it was revealed that Bruce is losing his “joy for life” and “language skills” amid his decline from dementia, according to a heartbreaking new update from a friend.
The British and American model wrote a powerful op-ed for Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper when she got candid while writing: ‘I struggle with guilt knowing I have resources that others don’t have’; the couple is pictured in December 2009
Last year, Bruce retired from showbiz due to his battle with the brain condition ‘aphasia’, which causes the patient’s language skills to deteriorate.
In March, his family announced that his illness had “worsened” and that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Glenn Gordon Caron, who created Bruce’s 1980s sitcom Moonlighting, has now shared his experiences of visiting the movie star during his illness.
“My feeling is that he knows who I am within the first minute or three,” Glenn said in his devastating interview with Page six. “He’s not completely verbal; he was a voracious reader – he didn’t want anyone to know that – and he doesn’t read anymore.’
Glenn, who also created the show Medium, revealed: “All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce.”
He added: ‘When you’re with him you know he’s Bruce and you’re grateful he’s there, but the zest for life is gone.’
Bruce is currently cared for by his wife Emma Heming, with whom he shares his two youngest daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine.
He also has three adult daughters – Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29 – with his ex-wife Demi Moore, who has remained friends with both him and Emma.
Details: Bruce is losing his ‘joie de vivre’ and ‘language skills’ amid his decline from dementia, according to a heartbreaking new update from a friend; pictured 2019
Throwback: The news came from the creator of Bruce’s star show Moonlighting, on which he is depicted with lead actress Cybill Shepherd
Since Bruce’s battle with aphasia began, Glenn has apparently tried to visit him monthly, but not always with success.
“I’m not always that good,” the television writer admitted, “but I try and I do talk to him and his wife and I have a casual relationship with his three older children. I tried very hard to stay in his life.’
Glenn said, “What makes his illness so baffling is that if you’ve ever spent time with Bruce Willis, there’s no one who has had more zest for life than he has.”
Bruce “just loved waking up every morning and trying to live life to the fullest,” but now he lives as if he’s “seeing life through a screen door.”
Back in the spotlight: Moonlighting (pictured) just made its streaming debut on Hulu, and Glenn is making the media rounds for the rollout with Cybill Shepherd
Sizzling: The two played detectives who became romantically intertwined, and their chemistry is often credited with the show’s success
Moonlighting just made its streaming debut on Hulu, and Glenn is making the media rounds for the rollout alongside the show’s lead actress Cybill Shepherd.
Bruce, then an unknown actor, rose to fame in 1980s comedy when he starred opposite Cybill, who had already enjoyed a career as a movie star in the 1970s.
The pair played detectives who became romantically intertwined, and their sizzling chemistry is often credited with the show’s success.
Although Bruce’s dementia has since progressed, Glenn manages to break the news to him about Moonlighting bowing on Hulu.
“I know he’s really excited that the show will be available to people, even if he can’t tell me that,” Glenn said. “When I spent time with him, we talked about it and I know he’s excited.”
