Rumor Willis is sharing a glimpse into what life has been like since Bruce Willis’s diagnosis.
On November 20, Rumor took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of her and her father when she was just a baby. The caption read, “Really missing my papa today. ????”
Commenters were quick to console Rumor, some sharing that they know and understand what she is going through. “Hugs. It’s an odd kind of hard to miss someone who is still here. Dementia is a cruel beast,” one commenter wrote.
“With dementia, grief begins so much earlier and lasts longer because you start grieving the loss before they are physically gone. My dad had the same kind of dementia as your dear dad. Not hearing him talk and knowing his thoughts was so hard and impacted knowing where he was in the dementia journey. I am sending so many loving thoughts your family’s way. My dad was such a huge fan of your father as am I. I’ve been rewatching Moonlighting because I used to watch it with my dad when I was a kid, and it has been so cathartic. Your dad’s gift with the spoken word will never be forgotten,” another added.
Tallulah Willis (@buuski) shares why her family has decided to be so open about her father Bruce Willis' disease. pic.twitter.com/mNqgPEhGAu
— The Drew Barrymore Show (@DrewBarrymoreTV) November 8, 2023
Rumor’s sister Tallulah has also been open recently about life with their father since his diagnosis while a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show.
As Mamas Uncut previously updated, Bruce and his family first revealed he was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022. As a result of the diagnosis and its symptoms, Bruce made the difficult decision to step away from acting.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
While speaking with Barrymore, Tallulah shared that despite the diagnosis and the fear of the future, her father “is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for. I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special.”
During this time, Tallulah shared that her family has coped by becoming archaeologists. She explained, “Part of what’s been a really beautiful way for me to heal through this is becoming like an archeologist to my dad’s world, to his little trinkets and doo-dads.”
And as a result, the family has made a decision to be open about their journey through this. “If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family to help other people, to turn it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us.”
Tallulah Willis (@buuski) opens up about growing up in the public eye. pic.twitter.com/GbavKPk5qr
— The Drew Barrymore Show (@DrewBarrymoreTV) November 8, 2023
They also are inspired to spread awareness around frontotemporal dementia.
As the family continued in their original statement, the Willis and Moore family described FTD as “a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”
“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”
And that’s exactly what Bruce would do with his own voice, if he could. “Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that – if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”