Selma Blair Reveals She Has Multiple Sclerosis
Actress Selma Blair revealed in an Instagram post on Saturday that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Blair shared a selfie she took in a dressing room and explained that two days ago, the costumer on her new Netflix show had to help her get into her clothes.
“She carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself,” Blair wrote. “I have #multiplesclerosis. I am in an exacerbation.”
Blair said she was diagnosed on August 16 but believes she has probably had it for 15 years. She said she has “had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously” until she fell in front of her doctor “trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve.”
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks myelin, the protective covering around the nerves within the central nervous system. Symptoms include fatigue, numbness, difficulty walking, weakness, vertigo, spasticity, and bladder and bowel problems. There are medications available to treat MS but there is no cure.
“I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS,” Blair wrote. “But we are doing it. And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best.”
She wrote that she is “in the thick of it” but hopes to give some hope to others, and herself.
You can’t get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep. So I don’t have answers. You see, I want to sleep. But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am OK. But if you see me, dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone.
Read the full post below:
I was in this wardrobe fitting two days ago. And I am in the deepest gratitude. So profound, it is, I have decided to share. The brilliant costumer #Allisaswanson not only designs the pieces #harperglass will wear on this new #Netflix show , but she carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself. I have #multiplesclerosis . I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix , I have a job. A wonderful job. I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it . And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best. Since my diagnosis at ten thirty pm on The night of August 16, I have had love and support from my friends , especially @jaime_king@sarahmgellar@realfreddieprinze@tarasubkoff@noah.d.newman . My producers #noreenhalpern who assured me that everyone has something. #chrisregina#aaronmartin and every crew member… thank you. I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself. You can’t get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep. So I don’t have answers. You see, I want to sleep. But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am ok. But if you see me , dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges. And the biggest thanks to @elizberkley who forced me to see her brother #drjasonberkley who gave me this diagnosis after finding lesions on that mri. I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously until I fell down in front of him trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve. I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least. And I am relieved to at least know. And share. ???? my instagram family… you know who you are.
Fans and supporters reached out on Twitter to share their support:
We’ve seen the news about Selma Blair and her diagnosis. Lots of people in the MS community will be really grateful to Selma for her decision to speak out. She’ll raise vital awareness of a condition that affects more than 100,000 people in the UK. https://t.co/IOEgQDst28
— MS Society UK (@mssocietyuk) October 21, 2018
Hi @SelmaBlair I’m a #MultipleSclerosis sister. I was diagnosed 13 years ago. We’re grateful you told us because so many are afraid to. I promise you will be ok. The diagnosis is scary, but it gets better. I promise. Please let me know if I can help. You are not alone. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Mo2UpeH6uB
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) October 21, 2018
damn, it’s hard to know what to say, except i’m terribly sorry to hear this, and thank you for your courage and for coming forward, selma. you’re helping hundreds of thousands of people. Selma Blair Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis | Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/DowTufN2iA
— Megan Mullally (@MeganMullally) October 21, 2018
You are a stellar being, Selma Blair. Your truth and honesty will help so many. Blessings on your journey #MS #SelmaBlair Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis in Emotional Instagram Post – The Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/t6FUTALWBI
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 20, 2018
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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