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Actress Selma Blair Reveals She Has Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system and interferes with the communication between the brain and the body

In a candid Instagram post, actress Selma Blair revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after experiencing symptoms for years.

The "Cruel Intentions" and "Legally Blonde" star said she received her diagnosis on Aug. 16 after a friend encouraged her to see a doctor.

"I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously until I fell down in front of him trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve," Blair wrote. "I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least. And I am relieved to at least know. And share."

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I was in this wardrobe fitting two days ago. And I am in the deepest gratitude. So profound, it is, I have decided to share. The brilliant costumer #Allisaswanson not only designs the pieces #harperglass will wear on this new #Netflix show , but she carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself. I have #multiplesclerosis . I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix , I have a job. A wonderful job. I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it . And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best. Since my diagnosis at ten thirty pm on The night of August 16, I have had love and support from my friends , especially @jaime_king @sarahmgellar @realfreddieprinze @tarasubkoff . My producers #noreenhalpern who assured me that everyone has something. #chrisregina #aaronmartin and every crew member... thank you. I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself. You can’t get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep. So I don’t have answers. You see, I want to sleep. But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am ok. But if you see me , dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges. And the biggest thanks to @elizberkley who forced me to see her brother #drjasonberkley who gave me this diagnosis after finding lesions on that mri. I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously until I fell down in front of him trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve. I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least. And I am relieved to at least know. And share. πŸ–€ my instagram family... you know who you are.

A post shared by Selma Blair (@selmablair) on

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system and interferes with the communication between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Symptoms vary but can include difficulty walking, numbness, muscle spasms, weakness, vision impairment and fatigue.

Blair wrote that she is "disabled" and sometimes "drops things, ... and my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps."

She added: "But I will do my best."

Blair shared her story along with a photo of herself in wardrobe for "Another Life," an upcoming sci-fi drama for Netflix. Blair expressed "the deepest gratitude" for her costumer, who she said "carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself."

The actress said she wanted to offer hope to others suffering from the disease, "and even to myself."

"I have MS and I am ok," she said. "But if you see me , dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges.

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