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Famous Hollywood actor Bruce Willis is ending his career due to an illness that affects his speech and cognitive abilities. This became known from a post on the social network, which was published by members of his family.
“To all the wonderful people who support Bruce, we as a family want to inform you that our beloved Bruce has some health problems and was recently diagnosed with aphasia, which affects his cognitive abilities,” the actor’s relatives wrote. Willis’ wife Emma, his ex-wife Demi Moore and all of his children were tagged under the post.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs the ability to speak and understand others. Also, most people with aphasia have difficulty reading and writing.
A diagnosis of aphasia does not mean that a person has a mental illness or intellectual disability
The most common cause is stroke — about 25-40% of survivors after it acquire aphasia. It can also be the result of a head injury, brain tumor, or other neurological causes.
Is it possible to cure aphasia?
Recovery refers to regaining or learning new communication skills, combating the isolation that often occurs with aphasia, and regaining relative independence.
If symptoms of aphasia last longer than two to three months after a stroke, a full recovery is unlikely. A person with aphasia may never regain their full speech and language skills, but it is possible to learn new ways of communicating.
Stars who also suffered from aphasia
Sharon Stone
In 2001, the Basic Instinct star was taken to the hospital with a stroke that caused a brain hemorrhage. The actress spent the next two years «learning to walk and talk again».
Speaking about the fact that with aphasia, patients are looking for new ways of communication, we can cite Sharon Stone as an example. Although the problems with reading and speech were temporary, it changed her perception of the world: «I became more emotionally intelligent, — shared Stone with ABC News. “I decided to work very hard to open other parts of my mind.”
Emilia Clarke
Shortly after filming wrapped on the first season of Game of Thrones in 2011, Clarke suffered a ruptured aneurysm, which in turn caused a stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. After the operation, the actress could not even remember her name.
“I asked the medical staff to let me die,” told The New Yorker actress in 2019. — My work — my whole dream of what my life would be like — was focused on language, on communication. Without it, I was lost.» Fortunately for Clarke, her aphasia was temporary.
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Most people have never heard the term «aphasia» until it happens to them or their loved one. However, the National Aphasia Association estimates that over 2 million people have this acquired communication disorder.
Text: Tatyana Zasypkina