American Actress, Selma Blair Shows What It’s Like To Parent While Dealing With A Chronic Illness
Hollywood star mom, Selma Blair is once again shining a light on the struggles of her multiple sclerosis (MS) journey while also inspiring others in the process.
Since being diagnosed, Blair has been a trailblazer in raising awareness about the diseases, never holding back about what she’s been going through over the past year.
Last summer, the actress, 46, revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time of her diagnosis, she had already been suffering from symptoms for 15 years, because she felt it took that long for her pain to be taken seriously.
In her most recent Instagram post, she shares some heartbreaking truths about being a parent with a chronic illness.
She shared the image after receiving medical treatment for her MS, saying they “take their toll” and often make her sick. But she powers through it all — because she has to. As moms do. She writes:
“I am going to get through this. We do. This will pass. And to moms and dads who watch their kids sick on things we take to get better… I hold you. So glad this is me and not my child.”
While the exact cause of MS is still unknown, scientists believe the disease is triggered by an as-yet-unidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond.
According to the National MS Society, multiple sclerosis involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
Having someone like Blair use her platform to shed light on the reality of MS is remarkable. It offers the world a glimpse into what daily life is like for someone with a chronic illness who still works, maintains a full life, parents a young child, and also doesn’t beat around the bush with how truly difficult and impossible some days can be. She shows the world that it’s okay to not be okay.
“I cannot imagine ever feeling ok again. #roughday. We get through. #realitycheck.”
Her full post reads:
“Here’s a truth. I feel sick as all hell. I am vomiting and all the things which are not polite to speak of. My son ran away. From me. I have to get him to school. The medical treatments take their toll.
I am going to get through this. We do. This will pass. And to moms and dads who watch their kids sick on things we take to get better… I hold you. So glad this is me and not my child. I cannot imagine ever feeling ok again. #roughday. We get through. #realitycheck.”
In February, Blair spoke to “GMA,” opening up about the mental and physical challenges of the disease, especially after going almost seven years without a diagnosis.
When she finally was able to get a definitive answer last August, she said:
”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.
They weren’t tears of panic. They were tears of knowing I now had to give in to a body that had loss of control, and there was some relief in that.”
She continues:
“Ever since my son was born, I was in an MS flare-up and didn’t know, and I was giving it everything to seem normal. And I was self-medicating when he wasn’t with me. I was drinking. I was in pain. I wasn’t always drinking, but there were times when I couldn’t take it.”
Blair wrote on Instagram in January:
”There is a truth with neurogedenerative brain disease. It is uncomfortable. It is a stadium of uncontrollable anxiety at times. Going out, being sociable holds a heavy price. My brain is on fire. I am freezing.
We feel alone with it even though the loving support has been a god send and appreciated. People write me asking how I do it. I do my best. But I choke with the pain of what I have lost (riding) and what I dare hope for. and how challenging it is to walk around .
But my smiles are genuine. This is ok. Life is an adventure with many shards of awakening. I can’t sleep at night but daytime I have trouble staying awake . I am a grown woman holding onto a bear that belonged to a sister type of mine. ( thank you @k.d.w.r ) we do what we can.
I have a full week ahead with mothering and appointments and things to look forward to. But like many of us, I am praying. Soaking in love where I can. It’s not easy. That’s ok. I send love to you. And by the way, this #eileenfisher sweater is my go to cozy tonight in this hotel room. Thank you. And @lorrigoddard_ I can’t thank you enough for the morale boost of blonde. And to my love @mrchrismcmillan ???? #humancondition#strengthinvulnerablity #MS#stillanactress #always#willmakeitwork #heartwideopen ❤️ #thisisforallofus. #littlethings
PS. Some outlets use quotes as clickbait of suffering. My life is not about suffering. These are moments of sharing in a way that some may find too much, but there is positivity in these posts.
A face to a disease I could not get information about from people I saw succeeding. I am succeeding and love my life. It is doable to have some rough moments and express it. No?”