Selma Blair felt a sense of relief when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The 52-year-old actress received her diagnosis in 2018, just before undergoing a risky two-month hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) aimed at strengthening her immune system. She shared that the confirmation of her health condition brought her a surprising sense of comfort.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Blair reflected on her journey, saying, “Once I learned I had multiple sclerosis, a condition I had been living with for a long time, everything made much more sense. I felt much happier. I had experienced these jolts and spasms for years and tried to suppress them, or I would drink excessively to cope with the big things I thought were just in my head. Honestly, I thought I was making it all up before I received my diagnosis. I would tell myself, ‘Jesus, Selma, you’re so broken inside. Just admit it.’ I didn’t realize I wasn’t actually broken; I had damage to my brain tissue.”
The star of “Cruel Intentions,” who announced she was in remission in 2021, revealed that she had been “living a lie” before her diagnosis. Now, she understands that her illness is more about how she interacts with others than it is about her own struggles.
Blair added, “I’m much happier. Yes, there are setbacks, and my heart breaks when life doesn’t go as planned. I was a sad person. I convinced myself that I was just that dramatic, weird girl who needed alcohol to avoid stuttering. I could have been kinder to myself. I realized that it’s not just about me; it’s about how I relate to people in the world. My stuttering or my dystonia or my difficulty handling life in the spotlight—if I experience these challenges, others do too.”
Her journey offers insight into the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis and highlights the importance of self-acceptance and understanding in dealing with illness.
For further information on multiple sclerosis and its impacts, check out resources from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society here.
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