Fans Empathize as Bruce Willis’ Daughter Posts Nostalgic Pic with Dad Whose ‘Language Skills Are No Longer Available’

• Emma Heming struggled with how and whether to share Bruce Willis' dementia diagnosis.
• Weeks ago, a friend of Bruce revealed that his progressing illness had affected his language skills.
• Fans recently empathized with Bruce's daughter when she shared a throwback photo showing an affectionate moment with her dad.

Bruce Willis and his wife, Emma Heming, got married in 2009. The couple share two kids, Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9. Bruce has three other older daughters, Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29, whom he shares with his first wife, Demi Moore.

In March 2022, Bruce's family revealed that the actor had been diagnosed with aphasia and was stepping away from Hollywood. Bruce's family gave a health update in February 2023, noting that his condition had advanced as he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD can affect a person's personality, speech, behavior, and executive functioning.

Emma said she struggled a lot with whether and how to announce that Bruce was living with FTD. However, when she finally shared this difficult chapter in their story, she could finally breathe. She revealed:

"Suddenly, I wasn't alone anymore, and I could seek the support Bruce, myself, and our family so desperately needed."

Emma has been giving updates on Bruce's health on her Instagram and news sites. The actor's wife found strength in the community by connecting with people who understood her story immediately, such as friends and online fans.

Many fans said they understood Rumer, as FTD makes people miss someone who is still here.

A good friend of Bruce, Glenn Gordon Caron, gave a health update on the actor in October 2023. The "Moonlighting" creator said the actor's ability to speak has deteriorated amid his battle with FTD. Glenn has tried to visit his friend every month since he was diagnosed and communicates with Emma.

He added that Bruce used to be an avid reader, but he's now not totally verbal, doesn't read, and "all those language skills are no longer available to him." Yet, Glenn feels like Bruce is still the same person as he senses, like the actor knows who he is for the first one to three minutes.

Glenn admitted that this illness has changed Bruce, who used to have "joie de vivre," loved life, and woke up every morning "trying to live life to the fullest," as now his exuberant enjoyment of existence is gone.

It isn't Glenn only who can see the impact the disease has had on the actor. Emma also said FTD is a family disease, as the devastating effect it has on Bruce affects all his loved ones. Bruce's daughter, Rumer, recently shared a nostalgic photo of her and his dad with an emotional caption.

Rumer's Post and Fans' Empathetic Reaction to It

Rumer posted a throwback picture of his dad holding her as a young girl. Bruce looked so happy in the picture while Rumer had her fingers in her mouth. The photo touched the hearts of many fans who witnessed the sweet father-daughter moment. Rumer captioned the photo, "Really missing my papa today. 😢"

Dementia is an illness that changes a person to the point that they are not really aware of their loved ones. The person's loved ones can miss who they were before the illness. Many fans said they understood Rumer, as FTD makes people miss someone who is still here.

"Know that feeling, I feel really sorry," a fan empathized with Rumer. Another fan said, "I've been there too. So sorry." "He's still there just differently," commented a fan. Many fans told Rumer that their hearts hurt for her and her family and that they were praying for them. "My heart is with you," a fan wrote.

Fans noted that Rumer misses the dad she used to know before he fell ill. Just as Emma admitted, dementia has been hard for Bruce's family. The kids and his wife have struggled to come to terms with who he is now. However, they have dug deeper into their courage and bravery to take care of Bruce, support him, and ensure he has all the love he needs.

Bruce's wife and kids have come together to give each other support in this difficult period in their lives. Having a community and love has made it easier for them to handle the challenges that come with dementia. As terrifying as the diagnosis was, Bruce's family inspire each other every day to keep going.