Rumer Willis is opening up about her father Bruce Willis’ health journey. During a recent Q&A, the Rumer Has It founder was asked about how her father is doing amid his ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition the Die Hard actor, who shares Rumer, Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah Willis, 31, with ex-wife Demi Moore, was diagnosed with three years ago.
“People always ask me this question and I think it’s kind of a hard one to answer, because the truth is that anybody with FDT is not doing great,” Rumer responded in a Nov. 20 video, “but he’s doing OK in terms of somebody who is dealing with frontotemporal dementia.” She added, “The only way I feel like I could answer that in a way that’s like he’s doing great… how do I say this? It’s like those parameters don’t really work anymore in my mind, so this is an interesting question.”
The 37-year-old, who shares daughter Louetta Willis, 2, with ex Derek Thomas, said she is thankful to still have her father in her life, even during moments when he does not recognize her.
“The answer that I would give is that I’m so happy and grateful that I still get to go and hug him,” she explained. “I’m so grateful that when I go over there and give him a hug whether he recognizes me or not that he can feel the love I’ve given him, and I can feel it back from him. That I still see a spark of him and he can feel the love that I’m giving and so that feels really nice.”
Rumer also expressed gratitude that Bruce has been able to form a bond with her daughter. “I just feel grateful that I get to go over there with Lou and we get to spend time with him,” she said, “and I get to feel the love that he has for me and that he puts out for me and that I can love him and be with him.”
Her update follows remarks from Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, with whom he shares Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, about how their daughters are coping with his condition. “I think they’re doing well, all things considered,” she told in an Oct. 10 interview.
“But it’s hard. They grieve. They miss their dad so much. He’s missing important milestones. That’s tough for them.” She added, “But kids are resilient. I used to hate hearing that because people didn’t understand what we were walking through. I don’t know if my kids will ever bounce back. But they’re learning, and so am I.”