The Vanity Fair after-Oscars party was the first public appearance for Selma Blair since she disclosed her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis last October. Selma was just interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America and if you haven’t watched it, please do. Not only is she out there with her affected speech saying this is what MS has given me, she’s also saying, very loudly this is what she refuses to let MS take from her. It’s inspiring, she’s inspiring and I can’t stop fist-bumping for her. Something else Selma made perfectly clear is that she’s not getting through any of this alone. She’s already praised Netflix for being so accommodating to her needs so she could film Another Life. In addition, longtime friends like Sarah Michelle Gellar has been supporting her every step of the way. On Monday, Sarah posted the photo of Selma above with this caption:
This is my dear friend @selmablair Last night she stood on the world stage for the first time, since being diagnosed with MS. And later this week, she is taking an even bigger step, and speaking publicly on @goodmorningamerica (with, my girl crush @robinrobertsgma ) To say I’m proud, would be a gross understatement. When I have a cold, I want to hide from the world under my covers. But not Selma. She is facing this diagnosis, the way she faces everything, with dignity, grace and head on. I know the support and encouragement that she has received on this platform has truly been a source of strength for her. This is not an easy journey, but Selma will not let this define her. I love you James.
I did the shallowest of digging and can’t find why Sarah calls Selma ‘James’ so if anyone knows, please share (you know I adore nickname stories). This is lovely and Sarah’s pride of Selma jumps off the page. Selma said in the GMA interview that some days, the pain and exhaustion are just too much, and she just has to let herself stay in bed all day. I imagine those times are when she needs to lean on her network of friends the most. In addition to Sarah, Kris Jenner, who became friends with Selma when Selma portrayed her during The People v. O.J. Simpson, sent her a Kardashian-sized bouquet after her diagnosis and has publicly applauded Selma’s approach to handling the disease.
Selma’s also made some new friends in the wake of her diagnosis. After wondering who she could possibly talk about what she was going through (before she got a diagnosis), she reached out to Michael J Fox, who has suffered from Parkinson’s for decades. She said that not only has he been a huge source of support and information, she feels like a rock star because she has Michael J Fox’s email. The whole interview is like that, with Selma’s charm and good humor coming through. In addition to still acting, she’s working on a clothing line to help those with disabilities. Plus, and this is possibly my favorite, she wants to make a custom line of blinged out canes.
Photo credit: Instagram, WENN Photos and Getty Images
Her dress is spectacular, she is gorgeous, and a supehero-like cape could not be more appropriate. What a badass.
and her cane. she looks like a badass
My mum has MS, and it’s awful.
The main reason I know how to cook it’s because during the years she has lost control of her hands, and I have helped her. I have been her hands for decades…kudos to Selma for showing the cane in the pictures. I loved it.
My Mom has MS too, diagnosed when I was a teen. I know what you went through.
big hug to you!
My mom passed away a year and a half ago from complications with her MS. She put up a good fight for so long. I miss her terribly.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Selma has alot of inner strength and I am so thankful for her openness about this – too many women with MS symptoms are given the run around by their doctors, too many suffer in silence.
I cried when she talked about Doctors not believing her for years, and saying it’s normal for mothers to be that exhausted. It’s just not fair for women.
One of my friends just went through this, her doctor repeatedly dismissing her, and she turned out to have a pretty serious issue that is now being properly treated. It so common, unfortunately.
I feel for Selma going through this, and I remember in the past few years there was a lot of speculation about her having substance abuse issues, so not only was she dealing with a tough disease, but people slamming her left and right.
If your doctor won’t talk to you like you are capable of understanding; won’t use plain english; or doesn’t say “we’re going to keep trying” – Don’t go back. If you’re frustrated- you’re in the wrong place.
I have a rather rare something that is akin to MS. I have seen one or two truly hateful doctors, some who can’t be bothered, and my ‘team’ who I absolutely owe my life to.
If your new to this, take someone with you to appointments. “No, it’s not you” is one of the most powerful things a friend ever said to me when I began to question a doctor’s actions.
These moments are the one’s that keep you going. And to every true caregiver out there – and all you celebitches <3!
What really upsets me, hearing about this slow diagnosis, is that in regards to MS, the sooner it is caught and medicated, the more effectively you can slow its progress.
One of my closest friends was diagnosed with MS when we were in our early 20s (when she first started exhibiting symptoms). She was told she had the worst kind and that she would be in a wheelchair by 30. Fast forward to 36 and you wouldn’t even know that she was ill if you met her.
She is very fortunate in a couple of ways: first of all, she is a kiwi-australian and so therefore has universal healthcare and a seemingly more caring medical system in general than the US one. Secondly, she is the only child of quite wealthy parents and has had access to every potential treatment out there. For several years she was going around the world to try different things. Thirdly, through a friend who is a medical research doctor specialising in diabetes and MS, she managed to get into some studies (although she was told that as she has the most aggressive kind of MS there is less chance of a “cure” and of course, in any study, you may be the one getting the placebo).
She was having symptoms for a while there – pain, random blindness or numbness, things like that. But now she is on suppressive medications that seem to be doing the job. She gets injections (and possibly other meds). I know that originally the injections days were horrific – she had them on a regular basis and would also get them if she felt oncoming symptoms – and she would spend the day curled in a ball in agonising pain. I’m not sure if that is still the case, or if the meds she’s on now are less painful (I don’t ask intrusive questions, I’m just there to listen when she wants to talk about it).
Now, the thing is, that since she started treating it very early on, she has no obvious side effects. No difference in speech or loss of motor skills. She’s currently pregnant and I asked her if it made a difference and she said that all of her symptoms are suppressed through medication so she can’t tell if there is any difference.
So imagine if someone like Selma had had this kind of treatment from early on. It really is such a shame.
I have such a girl crush on Selma ever since I saw Cruel Intentions when growing up. She still is so beautiful and inspiring. I wish her strength though it looks like she may have more of it that most people.
I watched the interview, and I won’t lie, I cried for her. I had Annette Funicello flashbacks all over again. I am rooting for her so hard to somehow come out on the other side of this okay. It’s such a cruel, cruel disease.
I cried too. My mom even called to ask if I had seen it bc she always loved Annette Funicello. One of my very close friends has MS and it is a cruel fucking disease. She still plays bass in her band and gets as much exercise as possible, but it breaks my heart to see her.
I love following her on Instagram and you can see she has a great circle of friends around her. I think Shannon Dougherty is part of their circle, and she’s been very open about her cancer treatment and remission. They all seem very supportive of one another.
Blinged out canes and a clothing line for people with disabilities?? How amazing is she? I know a couple of people and also elderly people who could use those items. This girl is not only courageous … she is a genius also. People with arthritis need help with their clothes also … many people do. This is such a good idea.
I hope she follows through on the cane/clothing. I follow Amy VanDyken on IG (she’s one of the most decorated Olympic swimmers; had an ATV accident a few years ago and is now paralyzed from a spinal cord injury). She’s mentioned a few times the challenges of clothing, especially pants, and how frustrating/disappointing it’s been when a couple of the companies that did make clothing to accommodate their unique needs stopped the lines or went out of business.
Absolutely agree, it’s an awesome way to approach her disease. As someone with 2 autoimmune diseases, I can relate to her story & appreciate her efforts.
MS is a hard disease to diagnose and people suffer with it for years before the doctors figure it out. It’s very admirable that she is speaking openly about her symptoms. She is brave and inspiring.
I’ve always loved her. I hate this disease. It took a dear friend from me.
I’m in the process of being diagnosed for MS. It can take years to be finally diagnosed (I’m just hitting my first year) and it can affect you in many, many ways. Like Selma, it affected my walking (I now use a walker), and it affects my vision and now, even my bowels (which I just had an exhausting night at the hospital because of). The waiting for diagnosis is both physically and emotionally draining as deal with symptoms but you don’t get treatment. Plus many doctors can dismiss it. I can’t tell you how many times people tell me “maybe it’s stress” or “psychosomatic” or “hormones” etc. But you have to keep going and keep pushing for answers and get all the right support. I have an amazing partner who supports me, and a work life that I love (with bosses who support me) and I eliminate as much stress as possible while I still fight to get a diagnosis. Selma’s interview brought tears to my eyes as I feel it so much!
Wow, best of luck to you, Switch! You have a brave, inspiring attitude!
Best of luck. There are treatments out there that very effectively suppress the symptoms. I hope you can get onto them as quickly as possible. A friend of mine has the worst kind of MS and was told she’d be wheelchair-bound by 30. Well we’re 36 and her symptoms are almost totally suppressed these days. I hope you can find something similar!
She is awesome. I’m glad she finally got her diagnosis. I have a close friend with MS and I know what a scary time it was for her when she didn’t know what was happening. And props to all you kickass ladies out there dealing with this sh-tty illness. You are strong as hell and you have all of my good wishes. x
I wish her well. She looks incredible here. Getting a diagnosis is such a huge deal. We have a friend with MS and another with Parkinson’s, and diagnosis was key in both cases.
A line of adaptive clothing would be awesome. Tommy Hilfiger has an adaptive clothing line, and it is awesome.
Sarah Michelle Gellar seems like such a great friend. I follow her on Instagram, and she’s really there for the people in her life.
I love Selma, who has been through so much on so many levels. Over her career, she hasn’t gotten as many roles, and as prominent roles, as she deserves. I hope her post-diagnosis life continues to be fulfilling and as happy as possible, and that she is able to keep acting for a good many years to come. I am rooting for her.
I just love her! She is quite courageous and inspiring.
She’s so awesome. And she looks absolutely stunning. I really haven’t liked the cape trend, but I love this and she wears it well. I literally gasped at that first picture.