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‘I fall … I drop things’: Selma Blair’s ‘relief’ at MS diagnosis

Actor and activist Selma Blair has used Instagram to reveal that she has multiple sclerosis, and may have been living with it for at least 15 years.

Determined to live life to the fullest and “to play with my son again”, the 46-year-old actor, who is most famous for her roles in early 2000s films Cruel Intentions and Hellboy, said she was diagnosed with the disease of the central nervous system on August 16 and made it public to “give some hope to others”.

“I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously until I fell down in front of him [Dr Jason Berkley] trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve,” Blair said.

“I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least. And I am relieved to at least know. And share.”

The insightful post details a wardrobe fitting for a Netflix sci-fi TV drama, Another Life, she’s filming, and the troubles she is experiencing with simple tasks, such as getting dressed.

“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,” she wrote.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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.

A post shared by Selma Blair (@selmablair) on

“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.

“I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself.”

Blair spoke of her desire to walk down the street and to ride her horse, but acknowledged the support of friends, cast and crew, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jaime King and Tara Subkoff.

Her fans on social media were also quick to provide support and words of encouragement.

https://twitter.com/SandersMichi/status/1053880667740794880

Blair said it was important to stay positive.

“You can’t get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep,” Blair said.

Blair feels she may have experienced symptoms for up to 15 years. Photo: Getty

“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.”

Early symptoms of MS include vision problems, tingling and numbness, weakness or fatigue, balance problems or dizziness,  bladder issues and cognitive problems.

-with AAP

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