US actress Selma Blair has revealed she has multiple sclerosis (MS) in an Instagram post.
The 46-year-old Cruel Intentions star said she was diagnosed in August but has had symptoms for years.
“I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things,” she wrote, calling the news “overwhelming in the beginning”.
Multiple sclerosis is an incurable condition affecting the brain or spinal cord, causing vision, balance and muscle problems.
According to the UK’s NHS, it is two to three times more likely in women than men, and is usually diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s.
The cause of the condition is still unknown.
Blair is set to appear in the Netflix programme Another Life, and said the “profound” help she received from costume designer Allisa Swanson had inspired her to come forward with the story.
In her post she said she was “in the thick of it” but hoped to give hope to others by talking about the condition.
Despite the news, the actress said she was relieved to finally receive the diagnosis.
“My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS. But we are doing it,” she wrote.
“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.”
Blair also starred in Legally Blonde and the Hellboy series.
There is no cure for MS, but treatment can help manage symptoms. This may include painkillers or drugs to reduce nerve inflammation, physical therapy to ease muscle stiffness, or medication to slow the condition’s progression.
On social media, many living with the condition sent support to Blair – among them journalist Victoria Brownworth, who thanked her for helping to demystify it.
“I was dxd [diagnosed] with MS at 30,” she wrote. “I can so relate to how #SelmaBlair feels.”
Actress turned activist Rose McGowan also tweeted her best wishes, writing: “You are a stellar being, Selma Blair. Your truth and honesty will help so many. Blessings on your journey.”
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Source: BBC
