Emma Heming denies Bruce Willis has ‘no more joy’ amid dementia battle as she campaigns for greater awareness about his condition and assures fans there is still ‘love’ and ‘connection’
Emma Heming, the wife of actor Bruce Willis, hit back at a report that said the actor had “no more joy” in his life amid his health battle with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.
Heming, 45, said in a pair of Instagram posts on Sunday that the 68-year-old Hollywood star continues to have joy in his life. He criticized the report and suggested that the public take a more nuanced look at the quality of life people can have. continue to struggle amid the battle against neurocognitive diseases.
Heming, who shares daughters Mabel Ray, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with the Die Hard actor, said in a clip on her Instagram page: ‘The headline basically says there’s no joy left in my husband – now I can just telling you, that’s far from the truth.
“I need society and whoever writes these stupid headlines to stop scaring people.”
The former model, who has a skincare company called CocoBaba and a wellness organization called Make Time Wellness, said public and media perceptions of neurocognitive diseases need to change.
Emma Heming Willis, 45, wife of actor Bruce Willis, 68, hit back at a report saying he had ‘no more joy’ in his life amid his health battle with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia
The couple, who are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary this month, were photographed in a romantic photoshoot on Valentine’s Day
‘Stop scaring people into thinking that once they’re diagnosed with some neurocognitive disease – “That’s it, it’s over, let’s pack up, nothing else to see, we’re done” – no, it’s the exact opposite of that,” she said.
Heming said that while the health battle has brought her family “a lot of heartache and sadness,” there is also love, connection, joy and happiness.
She concluded by saying, “So stop with the stupid headlines… there’s nothing to see here, okay?”
In the caption of the post, Heming said that her “experience is that two things can be true and exist at the same time.”
Heming gave contrasting examples, including “sadness and deep love,” “sadness and deep connection,” and “trauma and resilience.”
In the caption of the post, she shared how she arrived at her thought process.
“I had to work hard to get here, but once I arrived, life really started to make sense and I had a real sense of purpose,” Heming said. ‘There is so much beauty and soul in this story.’
Heming said she has come to understand that “people who haven’t taken the time to properly educate themselves about any neurocognitive disease” is based on the “headline after headline and snippets of misinformation” she has seen on the subject .
Heming suggested that the public take a more nuanced look at the quality of life people can continue to have amid the struggle with neurocognitive diseases
Heming said it was “far from the truth” that the action movie star no longer had any joy in his life
In a follow-up post, Heming explained that the headlines were disheartening for those who care for people with dementia
In a follow-up post, Heming explained that the headlines were disheartening for those who care for people with dementia.
“Care partners are already having a hard time in the support department,” says Heming. ‘These headlines that paint this constant ominous picture of dementia are damaging to them as they try to build their support unit around them. Or send someone who wants to help in the other direction.
“I just ask that you consider reframing this negative narrative surrounding dementia. That would be so kind and generous to the next care partner and their loved one.”
It’s been almost two years since Heming released a joint statement via Instagram with her two daughters and Willis’ ex-wife Demi Moore, 61, and daughters Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, Tallulah, 30, announcing that Willis quit acting amid the crisis. his aphasia diagnosis.
In the March 30, 2022 statement, they said Willis “has experienced a number of health issues and was recently diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.
“As a result, it is with great consideration that Bruce steps away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a very challenging time for our family and we are extremely grateful for your continued love, compassion and support.”
They continued, “We are going through this as a strong family unit and wanted to include his fans because we know how much he means to you, just as you mean to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”