By ANTHONY McCARTNEY (AP Entertainment Writer)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former speak present host Wendy Williams has been identified with the identical type of dementia that actor Bruce Willis has, an announcement launched Thursday on behalf of her caretakers says.
The assertion mentioned the 59-year-old’s diagnoses of main progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia “have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life” and have behavioral and cognitive impacts.
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way,” the assertion attributed to her care crew mentioned.
The assertion on Williams’ well being was issued on PR Newswire. A consultant listed on the discharge, Jennifer Hanley, referred questions again to the assertion when contacted by The Associated Press.
The announcement got here a day after a canopy story in People journal quoted Williams’ household in regards to the nature of her struggles, forward of a Lifetime documentary set to air Saturday.
“The people who love her cannot see her,” People quoted Williams’ sister Wanda as saying. “I think the big (question) is: How the hell did we get here?” The household mentioned a court-appointed authorized guardian was the one individual with unfettered entry to Williams.
The article mentioned the Lifetime documentary crew, which set out in 2022 to chronicle Williams’ comeback, stopped filming in April 2023 when, her supervisor “and jeweler” Will Selby says in footage for the movie, she entered a facility to deal with “cognitive issues.” Her son says within the documentary that medical doctors had related her cognitive points to alcohol use, People reported.
Her household informed People they don’t know the place she is and can’t name her themselves, however she will name them.
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a bunch of mind problems attributable to degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the mind that impacts habits, language and motion. Aphasia, a mind dysfunction that may result in issues talking or understanding phrases, could be a symptom of it. The affiliation describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in functioning,” with a median life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of signs.
FTD often happens in folks of their 40s, 50s and early 60s. It can have an effect on an individual’s persona, inflicting a lack of inhibition or inappropriate habits. It is typically mistaken for melancholy or bipolar dysfunction, and might take years to diagnose.
There are not any therapies to gradual or cease the illness, however some interventions may help handle signs.
The affiliation was concerned within the disclosure of Willis’ prognosis in February 2023, internet hosting an announcement posted by the actor’s household.
“We thank Wendy Williams for having the courage to make her diagnosis public and raise awareness of the disease,” affiliation CEO Susan Dickinson mentioned in an announcement. “”We know {that a} prognosis like this may be heartbreaking, however she shouldn’t be alone. While there is probably not a treatment, on daily basis we’re working to enhance care and analysis into therapies for this illness.”
Thursday’s assertion credited Weill Cornell Medicine in New York with the care and experience Williams acquired. Weill Cornell declined remark.
Williams rose to fame partly as a result of her no-boundaries method to her life, which included sharing private particulars about her well being, cosmetic surgery and cocaine habit — the topic of her 2003 memoir, “Wendy’s Got the Heat.”
An indicator of “The Wendy Williams Show,” which competed for viewers with Ellen DeGeneres’ present, was her signature phrase, “How you doin’?” She transitioned to tv after a profitable profession as a radio host, recognized for her scorching takes on gossip and skewering of celebrities, together with a contentious 2003 interview with Whitney Houston.
In 2022, Williams’ self-titled daytime speak present ended due to her ongoing well being points. Sherri Shepherd, who crammed in for Williams as a visitor host, acquired her personal present.
Williams mentioned in 2018 that she had been identified years earlier than with Graves’ illness, which ends up in the overproduction of thyroid hormones and might trigger wide-ranging signs and have an effect on total well being.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”