Featured Image Credit: AFF / Alamy Stock Photo / scoutlaruewillis/Instagram
Topics: Bruce Willis, Celebrity, Health, Mental Health, Parenting
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Bruce Willis, Celebrity, Health, Mental Health, Parenting
People are flooding to social media in support of Bruce Willis and his family after he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
On Thursday, 16 February, the Die Hard actor's family posted a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's (AFTD) website, revealing Willis has been diagnosed with FTD - a type of dementia that causes issues with behaviour and language.
Three of Willis' daughters have since publicly spoken out about how their father's diagnosis has affected them.
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Taking to her Instagram story on Thursday, 16 February, Scout - Willis' second eldest child - told followers: "Feeling emotionally tired and a bit overwhelmed, yet also very in awe of the love so many people have for papa."
Willis' third eldest, Tallulah, shared Scout's post on her own story alongside the caption: "Second this Scouter feeling the abundant love for our guy and our family."
Rumer - the eldest of the three daughters Willis shares with ex-wife Demi Moore - also reposted the story on her social media too. She wrote: "I third this Scouter and Buusk feeling so deeply grateful and in awe of the love for us and our sweet Daddio."
Willis has five daughters; Scout, Tallulah and Rumer with ex-wife Demi Moore, and Mabel and Evelyn with his current partner Emma Heming.
Fans of the Glass star have flocked to social media in support of Willis and his family.
One Twitter user wrote: "My heart goes out to Bruce Willis and his family, & also my gratitude for shining a much needed light on this disease. When people step forward it helps all of us. When people get a diagnosis it’s extremely difficult, but also for most a relief to get a diagnosis."
"My heart goes out to Mr. Bruce Willis and his wonderful family.
Mr. Willis, THANK YOU for all your great movies!" another commented.
A third said: "Grateful to Bruce Willis's family for being so open about their care journey and for shining a light on Frontotemporal Dementia. FTD is often overshadowed by Alzheimer's so awareness of this insidious condition is important for patients and caregivers."
Alzheimers Research UK said: "Our thoughts are with Bruce Willis & his family today after sharing his diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia.
"We thank the family for sharing this awful news publicly, bringing a lesser-known dementia out of the shadows & the need for more research investment to the spotlight."
In their announcement on Thursday, 16 February, Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn signposted others who are affected by FTD to visit AFTD's website.
Willis' family wrote: "Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTD’s mission in whatever way you can.
"Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible."