‘Floored by…Kindness’: MS Fighter Selma Blair Remembers Going Public with Her Sickness & Honors People With Disabilities Act Anniversary

Selma remembers ADA

• This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a US civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of disability.
• Actress Selma Blair battles MS, and on her Instagram this week, she recalls the ADA and how she felt when she went public with her illness.
• MS is a disease in which the immune system eats up the protective covering of the body’s nerves; Blair used chemotherapy to treat it.

The actress Selma Blair was once best known for her film work; Now she is also known for her disability activism as she publicly fights multiple sclerosis (MS).

Related: MS Fighter Selma Blair, 48, graces the cover of Town & Country Magazine, showing off her new stick; “It was a breeze,” she says as she brought the cane onto the red carpet

This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a US civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA was passed on July 26, 1990 and was life changing for so many disabled Americans. This week, Blair used her voice to draw attention to this groundbreaking act and also to share her experience with MS and how she felt after going public with her illness.

Blair shared a picture of herself wearing a white outfit and an off-white hat, and she writes, “On the anniversary of ADA, I remember the day I first spoke publicly about my MS. Overwhelmed by the friendliness of people I didn’t know well or not at all, I tried to strengthen myself, as I do, through books. As we celebrate # ADA31 and Disability Pride Month, I want to thank these ruthlessly bright people whose talent and righteous command lead me to my own awareness. My north stars, which have given me new opportunities to carry myself – literally and figuratively. “

Famous supporters of the actress, such as Paralympics bronze medalist Amy Purdy, commented on the post with endearing and supportive words. Blair’s friend and co-star of Legally Blond and Cruel Intentions, Reese Witherspoon, writes: “I love you and all the wonderful people who inspire you to keep showing us your light!”

Blair’s struggle with MS

Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018. It is a disease in which the immune system eats up the protective covering of the body’s nerves. MS essentially disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Symptoms of the disease can include loss of vision, pain, fatigue, and incoordination.

Related: MS fighter Selma Blair celebrates her 49th birthday & thanks disability advocate: “I live a better life”

After her diagnosis, Blair took to Instagram to share the news with fans and followers. In a 2018 article about her illness, she openly wrote: “I have multiple sclerosis. I am in an exacerbation … I am disabled … “

She goes on to say: “… I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS. But we do. And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, but I’ll do my best. Since my diagnosis on August 16 at 10:30 pm I have had love and support from my friends … “

Mental health … how are you?

Chemotherapy side effects

Blair treated her MS with chemotherapy. This type of treatment, which is commonly used to treat cancer, has some known side effects such as hair loss. Other side effects of this treatment can include pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, and various effects on the nervous system. For pain management and appetite stimulation, some people chose to use medical marijuana during their chemotherapy.

Fortunately, some of these negative side effects can be mitigated somewhat by newer technology. Cooling caps can be used to reduce the hair loss some people experience as a result of chemotherapy.

Related: Complete Guide to Wigs For Cancer Patients: Cost, Types, and Where to Buy

If you have hair loss from chemotherapy and it is negatively affecting your emotional or mental health, speak to your oncologist about options such as cooling hoods or wigs.

Not Your Parents’ Chemotherapy: New Solutions to Nausea, Hair Loss, and Other Chemo Side Effects During Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process.

Selma remembers ADA

• This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a US civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of disability.
• Actress Selma Blair battles MS, and on her Instagram this week, she recalls the ADA and how she felt when she went public with her illness.
• MS is a disease in which the immune system eats up the protective covering of the body’s nerves; Blair used chemotherapy to treat it.

The actress Selma Blair was once best known for her film work; Now she is also known for her disability activism as she publicly fights multiple sclerosis (MS).

Related: MS Fighter Selma Blair, 48, graces the cover of Town & Country Magazine, showing off her new stick; “It was a breeze,” she says as she brought the cane onto the red carpet

Read More This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a US civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA was passed on July 26, 1990 and was life changing for so many disabled Americans. This week, Blair used her voice to draw attention to this groundbreaking act and also to share her experience with MS and how she felt after going public with her illness.

Blair shared a picture of herself wearing a white outfit and an off-white hat, and she writes, “On the anniversary of ADA, I remember the day I first spoke publicly about my MS. Overwhelmed by the friendliness of people I didn’t know well or not at all, I tried to strengthen myself, as I do, through books. As we celebrate # ADA31 and Disability Pride Month, I want to thank these ruthlessly bright people whose talent and righteous command lead me to my own awareness. My north stars, which have given me new opportunities to carry myself – literally and figuratively. “

Famous supporters of the actress, such as Paralympics bronze medalist Amy Purdy, commented on the post with endearing and supportive words. Blair’s friend and co-star of Legally Blond and Cruel Intentions, Reese Witherspoon, writes: “I love you and all the wonderful people who inspire you to keep showing us your light!”

Blair’s struggle with MS

Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018. It is a disease in which the immune system eats up the protective covering of the body’s nerves. MS essentially disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Symptoms of the disease can include loss of vision, pain, fatigue, and incoordination.

Related: MS fighter Selma Blair celebrates her 49th birthday & thanks disability advocate: “I live a better life”

After her diagnosis, Blair took to Instagram to share the news with fans and followers. In a 2018 article about her illness, she openly wrote: “I have multiple sclerosis. I am in an exacerbation … I am disabled … “

She goes on to say: “… I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS. But we do. And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, but I’ll do my best. Since my diagnosis on August 16 at 10:30 pm I have had love and support from my friends … “

Mental health … how are you?

Chemotherapy side effects

Blair treated her MS with chemotherapy. This type of treatment, which is commonly used to treat cancer, has some known side effects such as hair loss. Other side effects of this treatment can include pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, and various effects on the nervous system. For pain management and appetite stimulation, some people chose to use medical marijuana during their chemotherapy.

Fortunately, some of these negative side effects can be mitigated somewhat by newer technology. Cooling caps can be used to reduce the hair loss some people experience as a result of chemotherapy.

Related: Complete Guide to Wigs For Cancer Patients: Cost, Types, and Where to Buy

If you have hair loss from chemotherapy and it is negatively affecting your emotional or mental health, speak to your oncologist about options such as cooling hoods or wigs.

Not Your Parents’ Chemotherapy: New Solutions to Nausea, Hair Loss, and Other Chemo Side Effects During Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process.