Selma Blair has provided an encouraging health update regarding her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she publicly revealed in 2018. In an interview with *Stellar* on November 22, 2023, the 53-year-old actress shared that she has remained relapse-free for the past couple of years, expressing her gratitude that her condition has not worsened. “That, of course, means the world to me that I’m not, at this moment, accumulating more damage in my brain,” she stated.
Blair highlighted her progress in coping with the condition, stating, “I have also made a lot of strides with the vibe of neuroplasticity.” She acknowledged the variability of experiences among those living with MS, saying, “I’m very, very lucky. Everyone’s experience with MS is different. I think I do have a certain place. My big mouth likes to see what I can do about stigma.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system by damaging the protective covering of nerves. Symptoms can include numbness, weakness, difficulties in walking, and changes in vision.
Blair first disclosed her MS diagnosis in an emotional post on Instagram in October 2018, sharing a mirror selfie during a wardrobe fitting for her Netflix sci-fi drama, *Another Life*. In that post, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received from those around her during challenging times. “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,” she wrote, detailing her struggles.
Her openness about her health challenges aims to provide hope to others facing similar battles. “I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself,” she said. Blair emphasized the importance of seeking help, noting, “You can’t get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning.”
In a recent discussion at the Flow Space Women’s Health Summit, Blair revealed that her early symptoms of MS were often dismissed by doctors. “I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2018. It turned out I probably had juvenile MS as my first optical neuritis was when I was about seven, which left me with a lazy eye from nerve damage,” she explained. Blair recounted the consistent pain, fatigue, and neurological issues she faced throughout her life, which were overlooked during her childhood.
“I had CAT scans as a kid, and I had doctor visits, and I stayed in hospitals for weeks at a time,” she recalled. “I’d have fevers, I have pain, endless, bone crushing fatigue that I still do have. And my mom would say, why can’t you give her an MRI? And they’re like, ‘Oh, she doesn’t need it. She’s probably getting her period.’”
Blair’s candidness about her journey with MS not only raises awareness but also encourages others to advocate for their health. As she continues her fight against the disease, her story serves as a beacon of resilience and hope for many facing similar challenges.
