After revealing his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (SEP) on Instagram in 2018, Selma Blair – actress known in particular for her roles in Sex Intentions, A Blonde’s Revenge or Hellboy – became one of the most famous faces in the world with this disease, with actress Christina Applegate. Not hesitating to speak up to reveal the difficulties inherent in this handicap, the 50-year-old actress recently confided in the magazine vogue on his daily life.
Since its announcement on Instagram, Selma Blair uses her notoriety to raise awareness about this disease that she was diagnosed with forty years of delay, she who has had symptoms since childhoodbut also to document his everyday struggle. “As an adult, the weariness and anxiety became terrifying”she revealed, about these “secret” symptoms, without diagnosis, that she was experiencing, before adding: “I made mistakes. I wished I was dead. I tried to kill myself. Many times. Out of desperation.”
The cane, Selma Blair’s “fashion accessory”
As her acting career took off in the 2000s, fans didn’t see that Selma Blair was hiding her symptoms on screen and self-medicated to take the pain away. “The film sets were excruciating for me at times, because of the exhaustion and my tics. I was taking benzos and Klonopin [un médicament utilisé pour prévenir les crises d’épilepsie et les troubles anxieux, NDLR]. I did not abuse these products, only alcohol”she confided, even revealing how much she felt “lost and sad”. Since her diagnosis, the mother of Arthur, 11 years old, even if she is not better on a physical point, suffers less mentally. And she chose to pose with her cane, which never leaves herindicating: “I have an emotional and physical attachment to my cane. My voice and my body calm down as soon as I hold it. It’s an extension of me. And I know it boosts my visibility.” On the issue of public awarenessshe added: “So many young people have started kissing their canes publicly. I think representation is important. If I can help remove the stigma or the crowd’s excessive curiosity towards one person, then that’s great.” There is no denying that Selma Blair is doing a lot to change mentalities about this disease.