**Bruce Willis Faces Struggle with Dementia: Moonlighting Creator Shares Insights**
In a poignant revelation, Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron sheds light on Bruce Willis's battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition that has significantly impacted the iconic actor's life. The once vibrant and lively Bruce Willis is now navigating the challenges of FTD, with his family opening up about the toll it has taken on his joie de vivre.
### Diagnosing the Journey
Last March, Willis's family announced his retirement from acting due to aphasia, only to reveal a more specific diagnosis of FTD nearly a year later. FTD, a progressive disease, has altered Willis's ability to communicate, leaving him largely incommunicative.
### Moonlighting Revival: A Special Endeavor
The recent availability of Willis's late-1980s ABC series, Moonlighting, on Hulu has added a poignant layer to his story. Caron, the creator of Moonlighting, shares that Willis was eager for the show to be accessible once more. Despite the challenges posed by FTD, Caron emphasizes that the process to bring Moonlighting to Hulu has been ongoing, and Willis's family recognizes the significance of the show in his life.
### A Struggle for Communication
Describing the impact of FTD on Willis, Caron notes that the disease has rendered him largely unable to communicate. It's as if he now views life "through a screen door," losing the ability to engage in the voracious reading he once enjoyed. Despite these challenges, Caron believes Willis can still recognize him during the initial moments of their interactions.
### A Glimpse into Willis's Current State
According to Caron, the first one to three minutes of an interaction with Willis still carry a sense of recognition. While Willis is not entirely verbal, the creator paints a poignant picture of a man who, though transformed by the disease, retains his essence. The once avid reader is now navigating a reality where language skills have slipped away, yet the core of Bruce Willis remains.
### Supportive Family Amidst Struggles
Willis's current wife, Emma Heming Willis, married to the actor since 2009, offers her perspective on the challenging journey during World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness week. While acknowledging the hardship on the family, she emphasizes finding beauty amidst the struggles. Despite the sadness and grief, she underscores the importance of embracing the joy in their lives, echoing Bruce Willis's desire for his family.
### Looking Beyond the Struggle
As Willis faces the complexities of FTD, those close to him, including Glenn Gordon Caron, express the impact on his once vibrant spirit. The Moonlighting creator's efforts to stay connected with Willis, despite the challenges, highlight the resilience of friendship in the face of adversity. Willis's family, particularly his wife Emma, emphasizes the need to focus on the positive aspects of life, honoring the actor's wish for joy amidst the struggles.
In this journey marked by resilience and love, Bruce Willis and his family navigate the uncharted territory of frontotemporal dementia, inspiring those around them to cherish the moments of joy amidst the challenges.