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Cape Town - Selma Blair is opening up about how her life has changed since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in August 2018.
In her first interview since the diagnosis six months ago, the 46-year-old shares everything from the pain and suffering she went through before being diagnosed to how she stays positive and inspired in her day-to-day life.
READ NEXT: Selma Blair makes stunning first appearance since MS diagnosis
Speaking on Good Morning America, Selma reveals to Robin Roberts she’s been in “an MS flare-up” ever since her son Arthur was born seven years ago and just didn’t know it.
“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.”
The Cruel Intentions actress adds that she used various forms of self-medication to cope with the pain she was in and wasn’t taken seriously by doctors.
“I was really struggling with, ‘How am I gonna get by in life?’
“And [being] not taken seriously by doctors, just, ‘Single mother, you’re exhausted, financial burden, blah, blah, blah.’”
Selma admits that because of this, she “cried with some relief” after being diagnosed because there was an explanation for the way she was feeling.
READ MORE: What is Multiple sclerosis?
Giving an update on her how the chronic illness has impacted her body and her speech, Selma tells Robin: “I am very happy to see you, being able to just put out what being in the middle of an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis is like…I have spasmodic dysphonia right now.”
WATCH A CLIP OF THE INTERVIEW HERE:
But Selma has not given up hope that her symptoms might improve over time.
“[The doctor] said within a year, I could have, at the time he said, 90 percent of my abilities back, so this is to say let's meet again next year and see if I'm better. If I'm not and I can still have a conversation, that's good enough.”
Sharing her reservations about speaking about her diagnosis, Selma says: “I was a little scared of talking [in the interview] and even my neurologist said, ‘No, this will bring a lot of awareness because no one has the energy to talk when they're in a flare-up… But, I do because I love a camera.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
Speaking to Vanity Fair, the American actress shared her concern about the lack stylish clothing for people with disabilities.
“I really feel like people with disabilities are invisible to a lot of people, because they’re uncomfortable, or don’t have the energy to dress up, don’t want to be seen…
“I would like to partner with someone like Christian Siriano on a line for everyone - not just people who necessarily need adaptive clothing, but for those who want comfort, too. It can still be chic.”
Selma further reiterated her hopes to raise awareness by sharing her story, saying: “There’s no tragedy for me. If I can help anyone be more comfortable in their skin, it's more than I've ever done before.”
READ THE FULL MAGAZINE FEATURE HERE:
