Willis announced his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022 and also revealed he was retiring from acting.
Over the weekend, Bruce Willis was spotted in Santa Monica, California, to catch up with a pal over a morning meal.
On September 3, 2022, Willis was photographed in the Los Angeles neighborhood as he was heading to grab breakfast with a friend, according to PEOPLE.
Willis, 67, looked healthy in the picture. He dressed casually in a white button-down short-sleeve shirt, grey pants, and a pair of blue sneakers. He completed his laidback look with a white baseball hat, too.
This is probably one of the first public appearances Willis has made since he announced his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022. During the announcement, it was also revealed that he would be stepping away from his acting career, too.
Bruce Willis Seen Out and About in Santa Monica, Calif. for Meal with a Friend https://t.co/VbiyMtVGEZ
— People (@people) September 4, 2022
"To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family, we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," the Willis family wrote on social media. "As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."
The post then said that it "is a really challenging time" for them all, "and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion, and support."
According to Mayo Clinic, aphasia is a condition that "robs you of the ability to communicate" and "can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written." The condition "typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative)."
Recently, Emma Heming Willis took to Instagram to share how she spent her summer amid the diagnosis.
"This was the summer of self-discovery — finding new hobbies, going out of my comfort zone and staying active," Heming wrote in the caption to the post she shared, which showed a montage of her using a fitness mirror, gardening, playing tennis, and doing some painting and finishing work on a wooden fence and table. Heming set her video to Aretha Franklin's 1968 recording of I Say A Little Prayer.
"My grief can be paralyzing but I'm learning how to live along side it," Heming continued in the caption. "As my step-daughter @scoutlaruewillis told me, grief is the deepest and purest form of love. I hope you find some comfort in that too 💞."
She ended her post by indicating that her words are in honor of National Grief Awareness Day, which occurs on August 30 every year.
Just like Hemming, Willis has been keeping himself busy too. The Golden Globe winner's wife shared a fun video of Willis and their daughter Mabel Ray, showing off their moves to a viral version of Lizzo's About Damn Time.
Heming has chosen to remain by her husband and help him navigate through his diagnosis, and all the while, she does not fail to notice the importance of family in her life, she told The Bump. "For us as a family, it’s always been about making memories. I’m not even sure we have rituals or traditions. We just love spending time with each other and we know that time is precious, and I don’t take that for granted," she said.
References:
https://people.com/movies/bruce-willis-out-and-about-santa-monica-california/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbu-T0VAukL/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369518
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbu-T0VAukL/
https://www.thebump.com/a/emma-heming-willis-beauty-mom-advice
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Theo Wargo
