Local Doctor Explains Aphasia Disorder That's Impacting Bruce Willis' Acting Career

Stephanie Stahl reports.

[Flexxarally]

my wife has this disease and its been very rough on her not understanding the simplest things.... she suffered intracranial brain bleed in 2018 GOD BLESS YOU BRUCE i KNOW FROM EXPERINCE BRO...love you man thanks for the legendary body of work your leaving with us..

[rachelpruitt]

This has me in tears. I absolutely love Bruce Willis. Prayers with him and his family.

[barbaragrant]

My dear mother suffered a devastating stroke that affected her ability to walk again, she also lost her ability to speak. While she was in hospital, I spent everyday at her side, making sure if she was to recover, she would have the best life possible. Knowing she would never walk again, I concentrated on helping her brain recover at least ways to communicate her needs to others knowing she would require full time nursing care for the rest of her life. The reason I had hope was when asked in the Emergency if she knew who I was squeeze my hand, and she did tightly. It became my mission to ensure, if she was never to talk again, at least her memory could be restored. God bless her we between us did just that. Her memory was every bit as good as it was before her stroke. When the brain is damaged like her's was, the meaning of No & Yes have to be relearned, as does keeping her head up. My mother had been a member of a ladies card club years before, so I bought a set of cards and we played crazy 8's, not to say it was easy, but she did recognize parts of the game, so it was repetition plus repetition, while referencing objects that could remind her what each card type represented. After 4 plus months she flew her own wings, her communication skills were A + . God love her she workd so hard with me. The jest of this story is Repetition, Repetition, Repetition is the key to restoring communication skills in Aphasia cases in my opinion. I HOPE BRUCE GETS THE RIGHT HELP HE NEEDS TO LIVE A STILL PRODUCTIVE LIFE. .

[endlessadventure]

As a 60 year old I am starting to see all the stars from music to acting aging and many dying. I was recently shocked at learning of how sick Phil Collins is and how he now looks. Even the biggest stars are just mere mortals. As Phil recently said at a concert. "getting old sucks."

[audibletapehiss]

It's very frightening the way it impacts your cognitive ability. I had temporary aphasia (about 3 hours) when I had a mini-stroke (TIA). It's not just being "mute." When they asked me my name or what day it was, at first my tongue couldn't make the sounds, but soon I couldn't even find the words in my brain. They could've handed me a pen and I'm not sure I could've answered them that way either. It made me realize how much our intelligence is directly linked to language. Every thought in our heads is in words.

[faithgodwin]

Identity theft is a perfect way to explain it! Not being able to effectively communicate is a horrible experience… Hoping for as much return as possible.

[peggyg]

My brother has Aphasia. It's a very sad disease. It robs you of who you were.

Thank you for bringing attention to this disease, Mr. Willis. You will be remembered for the work you have done. No one can do what you did, with your humor mixed with a lot of bad @ss.

[buttercupsroses]

I pray that Bruce can recover some of his cognitive loses. I don't know if that is possible, but I am praying for him/his family. I am praying that they hold on to each other, faith and hope.

[reginaflemming]

Doing all them doggone stunts did it! I'm praying for you Bruce.

[Ding]

A heart breaking loss for the movie industry, a great actor and a great man. Hope that in one way or another he gets over this affliction

[highmayores]

Our hearts and prayers for the family of this very good actor. May they will find peace and God s goodness in the midst of it all.

[coleengoodell]

In or out of acting, his legacy is set not only by the many great movies he's made but also by the beautiful family he has. May God be with he and his family as they find the new normal and the beauty that unexpected changes can bring. God bless.

[birdduckylucky]

You know this is a big bummer but as a Bruce fan I mean you still can't take the Bruce away from Bruce he's a LEGEND I even named my dog after him he's turning 4 this August and since I'm 38 turning 39 on April 4 and I don't have kids we practically do everything together get well Mr. Bruce the original hehe I said that because I call my dog Mr. Bruce all the time lol 😅. May God Almighty help regress your condition Amen we love you man big fan.

[childrenslivesmatter]

We're all getting old, my Hollywood brothers and sisters.
💘

[FlixCreEightR]

Never heard of it. The body is a scary thing. Ur born a helpless baby. And some leave this world, a helpess "baby". What a cruel world.

[shaikhashaikha]

Will he be able to express what he wants in writing???! Hope he gets well 🥺

[donnahill]

I'm sad about this news. God give him and family strength to deal with diagnosis. One day at a time.

[ewyyprewp]

Anyone know why so many people have been suffering from strokes and blood clots since last year? Asking for a friend. 🧐

[randyk]

It is sad that it takes this to happen to a "star" before the awareness. Wow, it takes it happening to "Hollywood Elite".

[CliffuckingBooth]

That's how you're gonna beat 'em, Butch. They keep underestimating you.