When you're a celebrity, you have to battle with keeping your privacy. Your entire life is expected to be broadcast, but you still want to control the narrative that comes out. It's rare to see a celebrity be so open and vulnerable on social media, but Selma Blair did just that over the weekend.
The actress, who has appeared in Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions, and Anger Management, took to Instagram to announce that she is living with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause "extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes."
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.
Multiple sclerosis affects 2.3 million people globally, and it's estimated that about 200 new cases of the disease are diagnosed each week. Some forms can be more aggressive, causing paralysis, while others can be more manageable with medications and therapy. On average, those with multiple sclerosis have a normal life span.
Though Blair may be living with MS, it's clear she doesn't believe she is "suffering," as people can often be labeled with when they reveal a diagnosis.
Blair says she has probably been living with MS for at least 15 years, which could partially explain her outburst on a plane in 2016. The actress became belligerent while on a flight, yelling at staff and passengers. At the time, she said the cause was alcohol.
"Someone gave me a pill that I thought was something I had taken before which I don't take on a regular basis," she said. "It was something completely different, a very bad choice, and I had a total psychotic blackout. And it was horrible and frightening, and I had empathy for myself actually afterwards, because it was actually so out of character for me, especially now that I'm a mother."
Since multiple sclerosis can cause mood changes, it's entirely possible the disease played a role in the outburst.
It's not the only medical issue Blair has either. She posted an X-Ray of her neck on Instagram, where she revealed she has degenerative disc disease.
Regardless, it seems like Blair has taken all of this in stride. We wish her nothing but the best as she learns how to live with MS on a daily basis.