Selma Blair gets candid with Today's Savannah Guthrie, reveals she feels 'great' amid multiple sclerosis battle
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Selma Blair recently shared an update on her life in remission with multiple sclerosis in a candid conversation with ‘Today’ host Savannah Guthrie.
Back in 2018, Blair publicly announced her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has ever since been an advocate for raising awareness about the disease.
The 51-year-old actress came onto the ‘Today’ show on Thursday, October 5, to provide an update on her life with MS and discuss her latest adaptive clothing line, created in collaboration with her longtime friend and designer, Isaac Mizrahi.
A look at Selma Blair’s life with multiple sclerosis
After announcing her MS diagnosis in 2018, Selma Blair updated her fans that she’d entered remission and no new lesions were forming.
While talking with Savannah Guthrie, she said, “I'm doing so much better, so much better. I still have symptoms and dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions) and things that people might read as a little more extreme."
She continued, "It's just kind of a part of who I am, but my spirit is really good, and life has been great.”
Blair shared that her involvement in adaptive fashion was inspired by an experience with a stylist who “didn’t make it a big deal” about her chronic illness, prompting her to explore clothing and accessories designed for individuals facing challenges with mainstream garments.
She further thanked her stylist on social media, “We're taught you don't look capable if you're carrying around a chronic disease.”
View this post on Instagram
Selma Blair opens up about her new project
Selma Blair and her longtime friend Issac Mizrahi are launching an accessible clothing collection with QVC, which will be available on October 6.
The new clothing line features machine-washable garments designed with elastic and magnets, providing ease of use for individuals with various mobility challenges.
Blair mentioned that she personally struggles with finger dexterity, making tasks like unbuttoning a shirt difficult.
In March 2023, Blair discussed her role as a brand ambassador for QVC and her commitment to introducing more adaptive products through the platform in an interview with ‘Today’.
Blair divulging on her new project said, “You have to be a squeaky wheel to get what you want. There aren’t a lot of allies in the disabled community that are lucky enough to be on the platform that I have to bring things out.”
View this post on Instagram
Selma Blair gets candid about remission
While talking about her life in remission, Selma Blair said, “I don't live in fear of this condition at all."
Highlighting her ability to adapt to various lingering MS symptoms, such as fatigue, speech difficulties, and challenges related to movement and balance, she said, “I still have symptoms (but) I do not have the absolute weakness that I had for a long time, and if I focus on something really truly and I’m awake, I can correct it. But often, it just takes a lot of energy.”
Blair admitted that she had to normalize her gait while moving.
She added, “Getting up, you would think I have a very difficult time walking the first few steps, but then I start to get in the rhythm and then if I’m uninterrupted for a while, I can absolutely walk smoothly.”
View this post on Instagram
She continued, “And then as soon as I sit down again, it starts all over when I start moving again. So that is pretty standard all the time.”
Despite not having a long-term prognosis for the duration of her remission, the actress, who is a mother to an 11-year-old son named Arthur, has developed strategies to effectively manage her symptoms when they do occur.
Blair openly acknowledged her fortunate access to top-notch medical care due to her resources, and she aspires to work towards making such healthcare accessibility available to all individuals battling with MS.
