18 August 2023 , 16:09
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Emma Heming Willis has admitted she's received some nasty messages after her husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with dementia.
The 45-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday to thank fans for their support as she said she will remain resilient amid "snarky" messages. Her husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which is known as FTD, earlier this year and Emma recently asked other caregivers to show her what makes them happy.
In a video update, she said: "So I just wanted to come on and acknowledge the incredible amount of messages that I received in the past couple days of encouragement and other care partners sharing their learnings with me from past experience. There has been some snarkiness embedded in there too, but those are people with an opinion versus the experience and those two things are very different."
Emma Heming Willis said she will remain focused on raising awareness (@emmahemingwillis/instagram)
She's been helping to care for her husband, who has dementia (Getty Images)Emma said that she "prays" those who have left the nasty messages "never understand what this experience looks like or feels like". She added that she tries not to pay attention to the online trolls.
"I do pay close attention to the people that have the experience because those people are who I am learning from," she continued. "So I'm going to continue to keep my head down and focus on this path that I'm on which is to raise awareness around FTD, to talk about the importance of brain health."
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There is currently no cure for dementia. Emma said our "only glimmer of hope" right now is to take care of our brain health and prevent the onset of the disease.
The model has been keeping fans updated on Bruce Willis' condition (AFP via Getty Images)She added: "But I do really believe that it's through action, education and this type of conversation that creates hope and change. So I hope that you will join me and use your voice too because we are much more powerful together."
Emma received plenty of support from fans in the comments. One person wrote: "You are incredible. what a powerful example you are of vulnerability, transparency and advocacy."
Another said: "Hi. I have been in your shoes and your response to the mean people is so kind and graceful. You should be very proud of yourself." A third person added: "Emma, your a force and an inspiration."