Selma Blair Continues To Inspire
- Selma Blair has been featured in the May 2023 issue of British Vogue: “Reframing Fashion: Dynamic, Daring & Disabled.”
- She graced the magazine cover with her canemarking it an “important day” for the multiple sclerosis community.
- The 50-year-old actress was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in October 2018, after years of dealing with unexplained symptoms such as dropping things, falling, and having memory issues.
- For many newly-diagnosed cancer patients or MS warriors, a crucial aspect of receiving the news and coping with it is a support network.
- Support networks can be made up of people from different parts of your life.
Blair, known for her roles in “Cruel Intentions” and “Legally Blonde,” took to Instagram this week to celebrate the news, sharing a few photos from her recent photoshoot for the issue, titled “Reframing Fashion: Dynamic, Daring & Disabled.”
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“This is an important day for our community. All of us who have dared to show up and celebrate each other unabashedly and handsomely,” Blair said.
Blair exudes gratitude as she also thanked Dr. Frances Ryan, an award-winning British journalist, and activist for people with disabilities.
She praised Ryan for “thoughtfully” writing the cover story and teaching her “that it is entirely possible to connect within our own disconnected hours.”
“It was a comfort and a privilege to communicate fluidly in unconventional ways,” Blair concluded.
Blair has been using her stylish black cane to support herself through MS, and she has been inspiring many along the way.
Her recent post prompted many fans to leave uplifting comments, with one writing, “You will grace covers forever because you are so graceful, inspiring, beautiful and give so much hope and strength to so many.”
“I love You since many years ago, but now, I admire You more than I love You and I think is amazing You have adopted the cane and has Made it a power sign,” another fan wrote.
“Seeing you wearing heels and having MS like myself gives me so many feels of excitement and hope…. You are so AMAZING,” commented a third.
The Power of Support After a Cancer Diagnosis
For many newly-diagnosed cancer patients or MS warriors, a crucial aspect of receiving the news and coping with it is a support network. Support networks can be made up of people from different parts of your life.
"I started going online not only to find information but also support groups and stories from survivors," cancer survivor Kelly Sargent previously told SurvivorNet when discussing her reaction to being diagnosed.
The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
The Chicago native received support not only from her family but also from new friends she made after her diagnosis.
Before moving to San Antonio, Sargent had lived in Chicago until she was 21 years old and then moved to the East Coast to pursue her career. While doing so, she met her husband and they had a child.
They then relocated to San Antonio, a change she was grateful for when discovering she had cancer.
Sargent expresses gratitude for the people she ended up meeting in San Antonio, specifically a group of ladies that she met at a Bible study group and who have become an essential part of her support network. She describes that her ability to survive and persist was due to this support.
Sarah Stapleton Explains How Social Workers Can Help Patients Find Emotional Support.
Support groups are available in every community. Asking your doctor or therapist for help is a good start.
Blair's MS Fight & Treatment
Selma Blair was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in October 2018, after years of dealing with unexplained symptoms such as dropping things, falling, and having memory issues.
Instead of keeping her day-to-day challenges private, the filmmaker has since become a strong advocate in the health community, particularly in raising awareness about mental health challenges.
Blair underwent chemotherapy for treatment and shared her hair loss journey with fans through social media. However, because of her illness, she still suffers from regular chronic pain, which caused her to struggle with activities she used to love.
Despite her troubles, she still managed to compete in the most recent season of Dancing With the Stars.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of the body's nerves.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains this disease as: "An unpredictable disease of the central nervous system…[MS] can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted."
Investigators of the disease believe it to be an autoimmune disease.
Many people fighting MS experience muscle weakness and difficulty with coordination and balance. Currently, there is no cure for MS, although some people treat the disease using chemotherapy, medications, or steroid drugs.
Inspiring Stories for People with Multiple Sclerosis
As a part of our effort to support people with chronic conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, SurvivorNetTV has programming specific to MS. It is our hope that these films inspire the nearly 1 million people living with MS in the United States.
RELATED: Check Out SurvivorNetTV's Multiple Sclerosis Programming
For example, SurvivorNetTV's film Defying All Odds follows the story of Dr. Terry Wahls a world-renowned doctor and scientist determined to continue practicing medicine even after being diagnosed with a severe form of multiple sclerosis (MS).
SurvivorNetTV Presents: Defying All Odds A World-Renowned Doctor's Incredible Journey Through MS
Another film, Don't Stop Me Now, looks into MS warrior Louise Carr's inspirational battle against the disease that frequently causes pain, fatigue, memory loss, and restricted movement.
"I might have MS, but it doesn't have me," she tells SurvivorNet.
'Don't Stop Me Now' Is Inspiration for Anybody With Multiple Sclerosis
To help with her symptoms, Carr tried switching to a vegan diet, taking on yoga and Zumba classes as well as riding a recumbent bike.
"To my absolute astonishment within a week of becoming vegan my energy levels absolutely shot up," she said. "It's changed my life."
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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