Bruce Willis’ wife says she feels ‘guilty’ about the actor’s dementia diagnosis.

Bruce Willis was diagnosed with dementia and his wife Emma Heming Willis opens up about the struggle and lessons learned on the actor’s journey to health.

In an essay published in Maria Shriver’s Sunday paper, Emma talks about the “guilt” she feels knowing that there are other people in a similar situation to her, without the resources that the Willis family has.

“I struggle with guilt because I know I have resources that others don’t. If I can take a walk to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can do that,” she writes. “If what I share about our family’s journey gets attention, I know there are many thousands of untold, unheard stories, all deserving of compassion and care.”

However, Emma hopes that raising awareness of frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD, will help other people feel “seen and understood”.

“I want people to know that when I hear of another family affected by FTD, I hear the same story of grief, loss and great sadness from our family in theirs. It is important to me to have a to advocate on behalf of families who do not have the time, energy or resources to advocate for themselves,” she adds.

Emma says she has “more hope today than I did after Bruce was first diagnosed.”

“I now understand this disease better and am now connected to an incredible community of support,” she continued. “I hope I’ve found a new purpose – even if I’ve never been looking – to use the spotlight to help and empower others. And I hope that our whole family can find joy in the little things and that we can come together to celebrate all the moments that life has to offer.”

Although Emma says she has “so much to learn about FTD,” she concludes, “As much as I regret this experience every day — like so many others — I also know that it made me stronger than I am.” .”