The family of retired actor and 'Die Hard' star Bruce Willis has just announced that the star battles frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This diagnosis came almost a year after he retired because of aphasia.
'Die Hard' Actor Bruce Willis Battles Frontotemporal Dementia
According to the Daily Mail, Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 after discovering that he was dealing with a condition that affected his linguistic abilities. Now, his condition was seen to progress even further, leading to the frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
Yahoo! reports that the family shared in a statement that the communication challenges the star faced were but one of the symptoms of the underlying illness. They express that, though it is painful to know the condition, they feel relieved that the exact diagnosis has been made.
The statement by his five daughters, wife Emma Heming, and ex-wife Demi Moore was publicly posted on the website of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).
They mentioned how the actor always believed that his voice could be used to assist others and raise awareness regarding vital concerns, either in public or private. They said they know that if Bruce Willis could he would respond by offering global awareness and empathy to those who are battling the same condition and by revealing how it affects people and their loved ones.
The Willis family is among the many families that have a member battling FTD. The family expresses encouragement to others who are dealing with the condition to check resources and avail support from the AFTD.
They also extend their message to those who are not battling the condition, stating their hopes that those who are fortunate to not battle the debilitating condition may take time to know more about it and support the AFTD's endeavors.
What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
With the actor's recent diagnosis, his family wants to shed light on what the condition is. The Daily Mail reports that FTD affects brain lobes at the anterior of the forehead. Such areas handle problem-solving, emotions, planning, and behavior. Symptoms of the condition include speech difficulties, obsessive actions, and personality alterations.
The family's statement also mentions that FTD is the most common dementia form among those who have not reached 60 years old. Moreover, because it takes years for the diagnosis to be made, there are high chances that it is more prevalent than expected.
The Mayo Clinic also states that the term is actually an overarching one that covers a variety of brain conditions that impact the temporal and frontal lobes. Some patients have drastic personality changes that could be inappropriate in a societal sense. Others, on the other hand, lose the capacity to effectively communicate with language, such as in the case of Bruce Willis.
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