BRUCE Willis' wife Emma Heming has become tearful while discussing the actor's battle with dementia.<\/p>\n
The 68-year-old actor's family announced\u00a0in March 2022\u00a0that he was battling aphasia, a condition which was \u201cimpacting his cognitive abilities."<\/p>\n
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In February 2023, Bruce's daughter Rumer revealed his condition had progressed and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).<\/p>\n
It is a rare form of the disease that causes a deterioration in behavior, personality, and language.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Emma became emotional while talking about Bruce's condition and being his caregiver during an appearance on the Today show.<\/p>\n
She told host Hoda Kotb: "What I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It\u2019s hard on the person diagnosed, it\u2019s also hard on the family. <\/p>\n
"And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is."<\/p>\n
Emma married Bruce in 2009 and has two daughters with him – Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine.<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old explained: "The most important thing was to be able for us to say what the disease was, explain what it is.<\/p>\n
"When you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint it sort of all makes sense.<\/p>\n
<\/picture>KELENDAR GIRL <\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/picture>GET LIPPY <\/span><\/p>\n
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'So it was important that we let them know what it is because I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis or for any form of dementia."<\/p>\n
When Hoda asked, "Does he know what's going on? Is that something he's aware of?" Emma paused before responding: "Hard to know."<\/p>\n
Emma, who appeared on the show to promote World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, went on to explain how she felt coming to terms with Bruce's devastating diagnosis. <\/p>\n
"I think it was the blessing and the curse. You know, to sort of finally understand what was happening so that I can be into the acceptance of what is," the mother of two said.<\/p>\n
"It doesn't make it any less painful, but just being in the acceptance and just being in the know of what happened to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier.<\/p>\n
"There are so many beautiful things happening in our lives. It is just really important for me to look up from the grief and the sadness so that I can see what is happening around us."<\/p>\n
Hoda then asked Emma what she thinks Bruce is teaching their girls as they all come to terms with his illness as a family.<\/p>\n
The former model replied: "Honestly, he is the gift that keeps on giving. Love, patience, resilience, so much…<\/p>\n
"And he's teaching me and our whole… I mean, you know, for me to be out here doing this, this is not my comfort zone, but this is the power of Bruce."<\/p>\n
Hoda said: "I have heard from people that have an ailing family member, and I remember this from a friend of mine… she said, 'my husband's diagnosis made my kids better people.' Is that what you're noticing?"<\/p>\n
Emma replied: "That is what I'm noticing. Listen, I\u00a0think my kids would be great no matter what! <\/p>\n
"And this is not what I would want for them. But really, like I said, it is teaching them so much and how to care and love and it's a beautiful thing amongst the sadness."<\/p>\n
Emma said she calls herself Bruce's "care partner" and also stressed the importance of taking care of herself as well.<\/p>\n
Last month, she became emotional while revealing it was a "conscious effort" to try to remain positive.<\/p>\n
Bruce also has support from his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters – Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 19.<\/p>\n
Rumer shared the heartbreaking news about Bruce's FTD diagnosis on Instagram.<\/p>\n
"Since we announced Bruce\u2019s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce\u2019s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD)," she wrote.<\/p>\n
"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. <\/p>\n
"While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."<\/p>\n
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