Selma Blair shares unique perspective on coronavirus self isolation following MS diagnosis
Selma Blair is talking about the coronavirus self-quarantine and how it doesn’t differ much from her rather isolated life since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly two years ago.
The 47-year-old actress has been open about her struggles since her October 2018 diagnosis and eventual stem cell transplant and chemotherapy, all of which have left her with physical setbacks.
However, in an appearance on Miley Cyrus’s Instagram live show Bright Minded on Monday, Blair went further to say that her MS forced her into isolation similar to what people are facing right now.
“I have been pretty much in isolation for two years because of my physical issues that make it harder to get out, harder to speak, all of these things,” she said.
“And now everyone’s on this same kind of daily trajectory I’m on.”
Instead of seeing the process of social distancing or self-isolating as a trap, Blair explained that being faced with a health crisis and the need for a different routine can afford people a new perspective, as it did for her.
“I love when people can find the real gift in it,” she says of quarantine. “Other than crisis and worry ... this is an incredible time for me, ‘cause I’m home, and to have my son home and to be able to have people understand... there’s just nothing that gets me mad for long anymore, and it hasn’t for a couple years.”
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Blair added that she doesn’t feel sorry for herself over the losses she’s suffered due to her MS.
“I just really look in the moment. ‘Cause now, I’m a middle-aged woman with an incurable disease, and it doesn’t even matter,” she said.
What does matter to Blair, however, is demonstrating strength for family and friends who need it, and doing what’s best for everyone’s health and safety.
Right now, as she’s home with her eight-year-old son, Arthur Bleick, she admitted that she’s most focused on him having fun.
“Unlike most of the other moms, I don’t keep a schedule right now with my kid. This is Woodstock, enjoy it. He’s on break right now too, so kind of anything goes,” she said.
As for her advice for others going through this difficult and confusing time, Blair said, “Be open but also really take this opportunity to be the best you you can be, to help your days along.”