Earlier this year, former adult film star Emily Willis was urgently hospitalized due to a serious medical emergency, with her condition reportedly being critical.
Willis entered the adult film industry in 2018 after her relationship with GirlsDoPorn director, Andre Garcia.
During her career, Willis received several AVN Awards, including the title of ‘Female Performer of the Year’ in 2021. By the end of 2023, she had appeared in over 700 adult films.
However, her life took a distressing turn just a few months later.
According to a doctor familiar with her case, the 25-year-old’s mysterious condition means Willis ‘may never move again’.
Earlier this year, Willis experienced an unexpected cardiac arrest, leading to an eight-day rehabilitation stay, as reported by her stepfather Michael.
In May, she emerged from a ‘vegetative coma’, yet remains unable to move, only able to track movements with her eyes.
Dr. Gareth Nye, a Programme Lead for Medical Science at the University of Chester in the UK, suggests that her condition could be ‘locked-in syndrome’.
Dr. Nye explained to the Daily Star: “What we are seeing here is the damage to the brain following a lack of oxygen after the cardiac arrest. It is encouraging to see that she seems to be conscious, recognises people, and can track with her eyes. However, it is highly likely she is suffering from a condition called locked-in syndrome.”
The Cleveland Clinic describes locked-in syndrome (LiS) as a ‘rare and serious neurological disorder that happens when a part of your brainstem is damaged, usually from a stroke’.
Individuals with this condition may experience complete body paralysis while remaining conscious and retaining normal cognitive abilities.
Those affected by locked-in syndrome are unable to consciously or voluntarily chew, swallow, speak, express themselves facially, or move anything below their eyes, though they can often move their eyes up and down and side to side.
They can also blink, hear, and comprehend what others are saying, understanding their circumstances.
Willis’ brother, Michael, provided an update to her fans on March 4 through a fundraiser, detailing her condition and the challenges she has faced this year.
He expressed: “Thank you so much to all for all the donations, support, words of encouragement, and sharing your beautiful words and experiences you had with Emily. Our family greatly appreciates all the outpouring love towards her health and recovery!
“To respect Emily’s privacy, we cannot reveal information regarding her health, but know all your prayers, love, and support means the world to her and her family.”
Just four days later, he updated again that she was in a ‘vegetative coma and is fighting for her life’.
He stated: “We have been by her side as she slowly tries to recover, but it will be a challenging journey ahead. The purpose of the GoFundMe campaign is to help her receive the necessary long-term care and other unexpected expenses that we discover while we work through this situation. The road to recovery is difficult and uncertain ahead of us, but we are doing everything we can to make sure Emily gets the care and love she needs.”
Media reports at the time speculated that Willis had overdosed, leading to her hospitalization, but Michael insisted that this was ‘not accurate as far as the doctors and my family know’.
The most recent update on May 2 stated that Willis was showing ‘signs of responsiveness like eye tracking but is still unable to communicate’.
The fundraiser update read: “We have been working with hospitals to get her transferred closer to her home state, so her family can be around her more often during this period of healing. The most important thing loved ones can do is provide stimulus by talking to her, reminiscing about all the fantastic memories, playing her favorite music, photos, and more.
“As of now, we haven’t been able to transfer hospitals, but the location she’s at provides great rehabilitation, care, and stimulus for her well being.”
While there has been no formal update on her current status, Dr Nye remarked to The Mirror that if she is conscious but unable to touch or speak to loved ones, it would be an ‘awful experience’ for her.
If you or anyone you know would like to support Emily Willis in her challenging journey, contributions can be made to her GoFundMe fundraiser, and keeping her in your thoughts is encouraged.