Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia earlier this year after which his family announced that the actor was retiring from acting.
Bruce Willis' family is coming together to support him through thick and thin. The blended family appeared in a Christmas family photo with the 67-year-old actor. Ex-wife Demi Moore shared the sweet snap captioning it, "We are FAMILY!! Getting into the holiday spirit!" The picture included Willis' five daughters Tallulah, Scout, and Rumer with ex Demi Moore and Evelyn and Mabel with wife Emma Heming Willis. Also seen is Willis holding Tallulah's dog, Pilaf reports PEOPLE.
Moore and Emma share a special relationship. The Ghost actress paid tribute to her ex's current wife on International Women's Day last year, referring to her as "a beautiful mother dedicated to her family" and "an absolutely gorgeous woman."
"I #SeeHer as family who I am honored to call a friend. Our children are sisters and yet there is no name for what our family connection is to one another. We are mothers united, sisters bonded on this crazy adventure of life," Moore said at the time.
Earlier this year, Willis' family announced in March that the Die Hard star was retiring from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia. He was "stepping away" from his decades-spanning acting career following his diagnosis with the language disorder that is "impacting his cognitive abilities."
"This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support," said his family. "We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that."
What exactly is the condition? To put it simply, aphasia affects comprehension of language, speaking, as well as reading, and writing. "Usually aphasia occurs after a stroke, and it's pretty sudden in onset, or it can occur after a head injury," Dr. Kim-Tenser told POP Sugar. Aphasia may also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a degenerative disease, such as dementia. "Usually [aphasia caused by those conditions] is chronic and happens over time," Dr. Kim-Tenser continued.
"If you see aphasia that happens all of a sudden, it's usually due to a stroke." Those with risk factors for stroke (including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol) are also at higher risk for aphasia. People who are over the age of 65 and those with a family history of stroke are also at higher risk. Speech and language therapy is required to help improve the condition. Patients "need to relearn and practice language skills." "There's a lot of patience that needs to be had," she added.
References:
https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/what-is-aphasia-types-symptoms-treatment-48772733
Cover Image Source: Instagram | demimoore
