Selma Blair Celebrates Being Named One of People's 2019 Beauties of the Year Following Her MS Diagnosis
Actress Selma Blair was named one of People’s 26 Beauties of the Year, highlighted in The Beautiful Issue 2019. The publication has been celebrating Hollywood’s most beautiful stars in an annual issue since 1990. According to People, The Beautiful Issue is not intended to be a beauty contest; rather, it’s meant to celebrate the beauty of the strength, humanity and artistry of those featured.
“Since revealing her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis last October, the actress has been an inspiring figure of strength and self-deprecating honesty,” her tribute in People reads.
Blair shared on Instagram that she was honored to be featured, writing:
I have issues. Tons of issues of @people magazine !!!!! cause I am a featured beauty. #whoknew #thankyou to all of you for letting me find my way and to all of us trying. And that is just about everybody. So hats off to us. And to #peoplemagazine ♥️. #honored
Her followers were quick to chime in with their support and congratulations:
How can someone be so stunning on the outside, but three times as beautiful on the inside? It’s beyond me. You are such an inspiration for us with neurological disorders/diseases. And thank you so much for being the first celebrity to be so open about it. You’ve given me so much hope on numerous occasions. — chalbert4
Thank u for standing up and being an inspiration for us with chronic illnesses. ✌ It means so much for people who don’t always know how to approach their disease. ❤️ Ur awesome — ms_kminx2
Well deserved inside and out — katebeckinsale
Since publicly announcing her MS diagnosis in October 2018, Blair has not shied away from sharing the reality of her disease.
She attended this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party with a cane (seen in the photo above), which she had customized for the event. In February, Blair spoke one-on-one with “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts in her first interview since her diagnosis. Though she was in the middle of a flare-up and her speech was affected, Blair said she was doing well and was happy to raise awareness of what an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis can look like.
Blair also regularly posts photos and updates on her Instagram, tackling issues such as parenting with chronic illness, side effects of medication, mobility aid stigma and applying makeup with MS.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the immune system causes inflammation that damages the myelin and nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve (which make up the central nervous system). Damage to these areas can cause various symptoms such as vision problems, numbness, fatigue, weakness or pain.
“Life is hard, and living with a chronic illness is hard,” Blair said. “There are things I can’t do at the moment, but things like all these [facial] lines are a luxury because it means I’m still alive and enjoying it.”
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Tabercil
Paige is passionate about helping people with chronic health issues share their stories and connect with one another.
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