Emma Heming Willis Calls Out Snarky Critics Over Caring for Bruce Willis
Emma Heming Willis opened up earlier this week about how difficult a time she's having taking care of Bruce Willis right now, and now she's speaking directly to those criticizing her for it.
The former model, who often uses her platform on Instagram to bring awareness to her husband's diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia and what it's like to care for someone with it, took to the social media platform again yesterday, Aug. 17, with a subtle message for those who have had some not-so-kind words for her amid the slew of encouragement she's been receiving.
She began the video by acknowledging the messages she's received from other care partners, who have shared helpful things they've learned from their own experiences.
“There has been some snarkiness embedded in there too," she admitted, "but those are people with an opinion versus the experience, and those two things are very different."
She continued, "And I hope, I pray, that the people who have this opinion never understand what this experience looks like or feels like." Because of that difference, she pays little attention to the opinions and puts her energy toward those with the experience.
That also involves "focus[ing] on this path that [she's] on," which primarily revolves around raising awareness for FTD. It includes educating her followers on "the importance of brain health, because prevention is our only glimmer of hope for a cure right now," as well as "how to best support our caregivers who don’t get respite..."
"I grow from hearing about other people’s experiences vs others opinions," Emma wrote alongside the video, going on to call on those who have reached out to her directly to share with her followers, as well, "so other care partners can feel that love too ??????."
They were quick to oblige, filling the comments with lengthy anecdotes and thanking Emma for her dedication to awareness and change.
"you are living in the moment, step by step, day by day, but I don’t think you realize how impactful you are to the caregiving community. From the perspective of caring for a beloved 'celebrity,' you have humanized the experience and bravely allowed others a window into your world...You are creating normalcy and support and education, you are lessening the shame and isolation felt by so many in this position. This may be the most important work you have done in your life. Thank you. ?," one wrote.
"I can say from experience, that if you take your own sort of ego out of caregiving, and really ask yourself, 'Is this my loved one speaking, or is it the disease?'" one spoke candidly. "And I wonder a lot if my Mom can see herself losing her identity. How painful is that for her? She tells me sometimes that she isn’t herself. So we talk as much as she can about her fears. As her daughter, it’s increasingly and incredibly painful, but it would be more painful to not be her with her. We’ve discovered that Gardening is a great way to distract, to engage, to exercise and to bond, so I’d suggest everyone find that activity where you can get away from the disease. ??."
Another found that music and laughter really helped their father with Alzheimer’s, while someone else suggested reading Creating Moments of Joy by Jolene Brackey, which they say offers "user friendly...practical 'solutions' to common behaviors, situations, etc."
She also advised, "If it's not a safety issue, let it go. Doesn't matter what day it really is, if it really happened that way or if it happened at all, if they just ate and forgot...Just let it go. Agree and let it go. That gave me hope and strength. ??????."
Others reminded those now walking in their shoes to live in the moment.
"...while you’re in the thick of it, it seems like it will never end. I would wonder how much longer I could take it. But what I learned is that it won’t last forever. As a matter of fact, I now wish it had lasted longer. ??," one said.
Another shared similar sentiments, writing, "...While I was Not prepared for this part of my journey, and didn’t WANT this to be a part of MY journey…once I finally began embracing it, and accepting it I began to grow!! I am now so very grateful that I was able to be a part of my dad’s journey. What a ride it was, full of joy, anger, laughter…all of it. I’m a better human being because of it ??."
"She gave birth to me, she raised me, she gave me values, she showered me with opportunities and it’s a privilege to be able to give back," someone else explained of taking care of their mom. "It’s a privilege to still have her around...I’m grateful for this very hard time in our lives… for without it I couldnt truly recognize the good times I had with her."
The family announced Bruce's diagnosis earlier this year, with his wife acting as his primary caregiver ever since.
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