by Thinus Ferreira
The former American talk show host Wendy Williams (59) has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, after battling alcohol addiction and other health issues like Graves' disease and lymphedema.
Her dementia and aphasia diagnosis is the same as what has been happening to former action star Bruce Willis.
Williams is currently in an undisclosed treatment facility with family unable to contact her, with only a court-appointed legal guardian who has access to her. Williams can call family members from an unidentified number, but they can't call her. Her bank accounts were frozen in 2022.
In a press release from her representatives, her "care team" said "Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.".
"In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)."
"Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behaviour and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life."
"The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances."
"Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioural changes but have not yet received a diagnosis."
"There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need."
"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 announcement comes just before a two-part documentary, produced by Williams, "Where is Wendy Williams?" will be broadcast in the United States over this upcoming weekend on the Lifetime TV channel which is no longer available in South Africa.
Paramount ran The Wendy Williams Show on its BET (DStv 129) channel until Williams' erratic behaviour led to its inevitable cancellation in mid-2022.
In the latest issue of People magazine in America to promote the documentary, her family - including her niece, sister and brother - broke their silence around her "shocking and heartbreaking" struggles.
"The people who love her cannot see her, "Wendy's sister Wanda told People magazine."I think the big question is: How the hell did we get here?"
To promote the documentary, Thursday's episode of the American talk show The View also featured Williams' niece Alex Finnie.
In the released clip, Finnie, says contact with Williams has "been limited". "I finally got some sort of a response not too long ago, but it has been a big problem for the family in terms of just 'Can we get an update on how she’s doing?"
"All of a sudden there was just this wall that went down and the family was blocked out. It was in April 2022. And the contact from that point on, has been so limited."
"She went into where she is now, between April and May last year. We went months before we were even able to get a call."
