20 May 2023 , 09:35
934
0
Bruce Willis' wife has said "a fire's been lit" as she now has "a new purpose" to raise awareness about dementia amid her husband's struggles.
Emma Heming Willis, 44, has been using her family's heartbreaking experiences to speak out about brain health in the hopes of "taking away that stigma".
The entrepreneur often takes to Instagram to update fans on Bruce's condition and has now launched her own brand, Make Time Wellness, to help people prioritise their brain health.
Emma admitted she had "never heard of brain health" before her husband was diagnosed with dementia.
Speaking about her awareness work, she said: "For me, it's really about connecting to a community and being open and able to talk about dementia and to take away that stigma that there is no shame around it."
Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months ago
Emma Heming Willis is trying to raise awareness of dementia (Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center)
She's teamed up with pal Helen Christoni to create a wellness brand (Instagram)Emma said it's been very useful for her to be able to speak to experts and "some of the most incredible doctors".
"I guess I have a new purpose, and I'm so excited that I'm able to share what I'm learning with everyone. It's like a fire's been lit. It's my new purpose and here I am," she said.
However, she admitted that she sometimes wishes it wasn't down to her to raise awareness and try and make a change.
Emma admitted it can be a tough job to try and make changes (Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Her new brand helps people prioritise their brain health (Instagram)"I hate that it's me. I wish it wasn't, but you know what? I'm not going to be quiet. I am going to use my voice and through action, awareness and conversation, that creates change," she told People.
Bruce's family announced his dementia battle last year, with Emma recently announcing that treatment options are extremely "slim".
Tim Parry, the Director at Alzheimer's Research UK, told The Mirror what this means for the Die Hard star.
"As Bruce Willis' family have highlighted, there are currently no treatments to slow or stop frontotemporal dementia," he said.
"Because of this, the focus is to help people with the disease manage their symptoms in everyday life.
"This is the tragic reality every single person affected by the disease faces today and we shouldn't accept it."
Tim continued: "We praise Bruce’s family for their openness surrounding his diagnosis – this will go a long way in bringing a lesser-known form of dementia out of the shadows and put a spotlight on the need to for more research investment.
Amanda Bynes 'split from boyfriend' before suffering mental health crisis
"We absolutely share their hope for breakthroughs."