Photo: Sean Zanni/Getty
Emma Heming Willisis continuing her advocacy work for her husband Bruce Willis after he was diagnosed withfrontotemporal dementia.
“Hope was indeed rising in our FTD (frontotemporal dementia) community last night in New York,” she wrote. “Thank you for welcoming me@theaftdto my new home. It’s not the room I ever dreamed of being in but let me tell you, it’s a room of fierce love and resilience. I’m here to join the cause alongside all of you.”
She added, “If you are in need of FTD support, please lean on@theaftdas they have been an invaluable resource to myself and family on this journey ❤️#hoperising2023#endftd#ftdawareness.”
The fundraiser comes just a week after Emma publicly vowed to raise awareness about FTD.
The mom of two shared a photo onInstagramwith dementia care and education specialist Teepa Snow. While tagging the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Emma praised the help she’s received so far while learning how to navigate Bruce’s condition.
“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to work with@teepasnows_pacwho has helped me add to my dementia care toolbox,” she wrote. “She’s a loving, compassionate and skilled leader in this space who navigates herself with pure empathy. She’s a gift. Head to the link in my bio as her website has a wealth of caregiving information you might find useful too 💌#dementiaawareness#ftdawarness#EndFTD#EveryFTDStoryCounts.”
Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Emma revealed last month that Bruce was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, sharing that his condition has worsened since his family first shared news of hisaphasia diagnosislast year.
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is arelief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” she said at the time.
Frontotemporal dementia is an all-encompassing term for a group of brain disorders that threatens thefrontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This means that parts of these lobes atrophy, and the shrinking of these areas can cause speech issues, emotional problems and changes in personality.
Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms. Symptoms tend to get worse over time. Patients typically begin to notice symptoms between 40 - 65 years of age, but it can affect people who are younger. It is the most common form of dementiafor people under 60.
source: people.com
