Selma Blair has established herself as a full-fledged fighter: Ever since she publicly announced her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in October, the 46-year-old actress has been admirably open about her struggles, emotions, and optimism around battling the disease.
In a recent Instagram post shared Thursday, Selma posted a powerful #tbt photo of herself standing on one leg from a 2001 photoshoot with Interview Magazine. The image is especially symbolic because Selma currently walks with a cane because of how her M.S. has progressed.
Selma insinuated that she wouldn't be able to hold the one-legged pose today, but she's hopeful that she will again in the future. "A leg to stand on. 18 years ago. I will be able to do this again," she captioned the Instagram photo.
View this post on Instagram A leg to stand on. 18 years ago. I will be able to do this again. We can do more than we think we can. I love this photo. It was also before my masseters became so dense with inflammation. Tension. I wonder if I can ever get the jawline narrower again. Hardly one of lifes pressing issues. Just musings. #peggysirota #tbt #interviewmagazine #2001. Was also the day I met @mrchrismcmillan he did my hair for the legally blonde #la premiere right after this shoot. I loved him from the get go. A post shared by Selma Blair (@selmablair) on Apr 24, 2019 at 10:58pm PDT
Selma also pointed out another change possibly caused by MS since this photo was taken: "It was also before my masseters became so dense with inflammation," she wrote. "Tension. I wonder if I can ever get the jawline narrower again. Hardly one of lifes pressing issues. Just musings."
As far as her inflamed "masseters" go (FYI, that's just another word for the muscles that keep your jaw in place), it's unclear why they might be inflamed, but Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, neurologist and neuroscientist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California, says it may be due to the overall inflammation caused by MS.
As far as the "tension" in her jaw muscles goes, Kesari says that may be caused by spasticity of jaw muscles (when muscles continuously contract), also caused by MS's effect on certain nerves. But again, all of this is speculation, says Kesari, without access to Selma's medical records.
View this post on Instagram And then I had a #massage. Thank you to @bungalow_3 for the perfect Saturday afternoon body getaway ( and body get in ) gift certificate at @thenowmassage. #oasis. #studiocity . I love local businesses and friends supporting other businesses. And I love to feel good. Good night. #merseaco #jamessmithandsons for my cane A post shared by Selma Blair (@selmablair) on Apr 20, 2019 at 4:47pm PDT
Beyond having mobility difficulties, Selma has revealed that she's experienced hair loss (her eyelashes are falling out) and trouble with her memory . Cognitive impairment can be common in some M.S. patients, and hair loss can often be a side effect of certain M.S. treatments.
Selma's courage and openness around her disease has been an inspiration to many, and in return, she's gotten a lot of support. Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, who also lives with M.S. , shared that he's bonded with the actress over their shared illness. I get a lot out of talking to people in kind of the same spot as me, Jack, 33, told People about connecting with Selma. I find it kind of comforting knowing youre not alone. That was really the crux of the conversation I had with Selma.
By documenting her journey, Selma has certainly been able to connect with other people living with MS; her platform is powerful and she's using it to promote messages of positivity and strength. As she put it in her latest Instagram post, "We can do more than we think we can."