Adult star Emily Willis, who was left permanently disabled after a cardiac arrest in February 2024, is making slow but significant progress in her recovery, according to her mother, Yesenia Cooper. Willis is now learning to walk again and can communicate non-verbally with her family.
Cardiac Arrest and Brain Damage
On January 27, 2024, Willis checked into Summit Malibu, a luxury rehabilitation facility in California, to seek treatment for a ketamine addiction. Her family said she entered the facility clean and was committed to recovery. However, eight days later on February 4, a nurse practitioner found Willis unconscious in her room. Emergency services performed CPR, and paramedics worked for up to 40 minutes before her heart restarted. The incident left her with catastrophic brain damage, and she was later diagnosed as permanently disabled.
Current Condition and Communication
In a recent conversation with TMZ, Yesenia Cooper provided an update on her daughter's condition. Although Willis remains non-verbal, she can communicate using her eyes and head shakes. Cooper stated that Willis now understands about 80% of what is happening around her. Previously bed-bound, she has started to learn how to walk again. She can sleep on her own and has resumed watching movies and TV shows, though she still needs help feeding.
Settlement Reached
The updates come after reports that Willis's family reached a $3 million settlement in a lawsuit against Summit Malibu. The family alleged that the facility failed to properly care for Willis during her treatment for ketamine addiction. The defendants denied wrongdoing and did not admit liability in the settlement.
