Bruce Willis, 67, was publicly seen for the first time after his family revealed he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
In photos and video obtained by the Daily Mail, the “Die Hard” actor had a day out with two friends in Santa Monica, Calif. on Thursday.
During the outing, the actor sported a grey beanie, blue sweatshirt and black pants, which he paired with a black watch.
The “Sixth Sense” star’s day out comes two weeks after his family announced he had been diagnosed with the “cruel disease,” which can cause slowed movement, stiffness, balance problems and changes in behavior or language.
“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” his wife, Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and five daughters said on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website on Feb. 16.
“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know,” the family continued.
While Willis’ family said there are “no treatments” for the disease, they hope “any media attention” can shed light on the illness “that needs more awareness and research.”
“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us,” the statement concluded.
“We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
Last March, the action star’s family initially announced that he had aphasia — a medical condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand verbal and written language — and would be stepping away from acting.
Since then, Willis’ relatives have given fans updates on his health. Most recently, Heming, 44, shared that she met with dementia specialist Teepa Snow to learn more about how to care for her husband.
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“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to work with @teepasnows_pac who has helped me add to my dementia care toolbox,” she shared on Instagram on Feb. 27 alongside a photo with Snow.
“She’s a loving, compassionate and skilled leader in this space who navigates herself with pure empathy. She’s a gift,” the model wrote, adding that Snow has “a wealth of caregiving information” on her website.
Source: PageSix.com