Recently, Bruce Willis’s wife made a plea to the media and paparazzi for understanding on their part after it became public that he had been diagnosed with dementia. She requested that they respect his privacy when in public.
In an impactful video on her Instagram, Emma Heming Willis passionately requested the paparazzi to no longer hound and vocally beckon her husband for pictures or interviews when they happen upon him in public. She suggests that their intrusive behaviour puts his safety at grave risk.
The former English model entreated the photographers who were relentlessly pursuing her husband: “I understand this is your job, but it would be much appreciated if you could keep a distance from him.”
During her address, she shared that just days prior, her husband – who is 67 years old – had experienced troubling harassment from photojournalists while out in California meeting a few friends for coffee.
She noted that photographers would yell out to him, requiring his attention and energy – something which is incredibly challenging for those with dementia. Despite the difficulty of venturing outside into a world unfamiliar to them, he still managed to fetch himself coffee. It’s an impressive feat given his condition!
She continued, emphasizing that there is still much to be understood about those living with dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia
Following the Willis family’s announcement of his having frontotemporal dementia (a lesser-known form of brain disorder affecting frontal and temporal lobes) on February 17, his wife gave her words.
The Alzheimer‘s Association reveals that frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a collection of diseases caused by the progressive deterioration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes. These regions are usually responsible for aspects such as language, behaviour, and personality.
