Bruce Willis’ daughters, Scout and Tallulah Willis, are commending Emma Heming Willis for her exceptional work in raising awareness about frontotemporal dementia (FTD) following their father’s diagnosis.

In an emotional appearance on the Today show, Emma joined Susan Dickinson, the head of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), to promote World FTD Week.

After seeing Emma’s interview, Scout took to her Instagram Story to express her pride and admiration for Emma’s efforts, stating, “I TRULY could not be more proud of @emmahemingwillis for being willing to step out into the public eye, (even though it’s terrifying!!!) to share our family’s story in service of spreading awareness about FTD.”

Scout continued, “Emma, you are such a champion for this cause and you inspire me EVERY SINGLE F—ING DAY with your bravery and deep, deep love. Your courage is moving mountains. #ftd #ftdawareness.”

Emma later reposted Scout’s message, expressing her love for her. Tallulah also showed her support by reposting Scout’s message and adding, “So proud of my family @emmahemingwillis.”

During Emma’s appearance on the Today show, she candidly discussed Bruce’s health and the challenges they face as a family. Emma shared that it is difficult to determine if Bruce fully comprehends his condition, stating, “It’s hard to know. It’s hard to know.”

Emma emphasized that dementia not only affects the person diagnosed but also their entire family. Frontotemporal dementia is a group of brain disorders that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to speech problems, emotional changes, and personality alterations.

Other symptoms may include difficulties with motor skills, such as walking, swallowing, or muscle spasms. The disease affects the frontal lobe, which controls self-awareness, often causing individuals to lose recognition of their own changes.

Diagnosing FTD can be challenging, and it often takes an average of nearly four years for individuals to receive an accurate diagnosis. Many misdiagnoses can occur along the way, including depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, or even movement disorders like Parkinson’s or ALS. Understanding this disease and its effects is still an ongoing learning process for medical professionals and researchers.

Bruce’s family publicly shared his diagnosis of aphasia in March 2022, a language disorder that affects communication. In February, Emma revealed that his condition had worsened, resulting in a frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.

FTD symptoms progressively worsen over time and are typically noticed between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can affect younger individuals. Emma described coming to terms with Bruce’s diagnosis as both a blessing and a curse.

It provided clarity and understanding, but the pain remains. As a care partner, Emma highlights the importance of taking care of oneself and seeking support from organizations like the AFTD and Hilarity for Charity.

Despite the difficulties, she chooses to focus on the beautiful moments in their lives and believes that Bruce would want their family to embrace joy and happiness.

Bruce Willis’ daughters are grateful for Emma Heming Willis’ dedication to raising awareness about FTD. They commend her courage and love as she continues to champion this cause.