Yesterday actress Jamie Lynn Sigler told the world she’s been living with multiple sclerosis for the past 15 years. The reaction from Trippers everywhere has been one of love and support. Already there are hopes she will represent us, give us a more prominent voice, be the face of this dreadful disease. It doesn’t hurt that the face we’re talking about has Hollywood good looks, a beautiful family, a successful career. Sigler paints a pretty good picture of what MS can look like. This misunderstood condition could use some glamorous attention, but more than that we all seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief at how real she was going to be about her illness when she said,
“Stairs? I can do them but they’re not the easiest. When I walk, I have to think about every single step, which is annoying and frustrating.”
Because we’ve been disappointed in celebrity attention and how MS is portrayed in the media before.
Sigler kept her diagnosis private for many years before revealing it on her own terms. When I was diagnosed, news traveled faster than I could handle. I was naive and didn’t realize how important it might have been to keep it to myself as long as possible. I didn’t understand the side order of stigma and labels that come with MS. It can, and will affect your professional opportunities. It changes relationships. You don’t get to control your own narrative. That whispering at the water cooler? No.It wasn’t about my awesome new bag.
Facing my own ‘public’ has been and continues to be challenging. Like Sigler, you’d think I would have figured it out by now, but that’s just not the case. Of course Sigler’s public is enormous. Truly public. For the rest of us mere mortals the concerns about what and when to disclose are the same. How will this affect my work? What label will people give me? How will this change my relationships and potential relationships? How do I seek support without compromising privacy? How do I ask for help but maintain an appearance of strength and positivity? How do I balance living an open and truthful life with what that is going to cost me?
As brave as JLS is, we can’t expect this woman to be the ambassador for MS. It’s not her job to take on this tremendous task. She didn’t ask for this and we shouldn’t ask her to advocate either. I’m saddened to hear of her diagnosis. I’m grateful to see a public voice that resonates a little more closely to my own experience than what we’ve seen in the media before. To be able to say:
It’s hard. Here’s what I’m doing about it. I’m still here.
The MS community is inspired by Jamie-Lynn’s bravery in choosing to publicly share such a personal story. Just because she has a public platform doesn’t mean she is obliged to become the voice of MS. I hope society and her industry will create the kind of environment where she can continue to work and thrive as a whole person, advocating for MS on her own terms. As Sigler said, ‘It’s part of me, but it’s not who I am’.
6 thoughts on “The Extra Pressure On Celebrities With MS”
Anonymous
Hey Tripping. Hope you are well, I am. I read about JLS just the other day. Love that line you quoted. I too get annoyed and frustrated. I envy JLS in her success and opportunity. I wish her nothing but the best and hope I hear more of her in the future. Thanks for posting.
Hi. Dealing with PPMS I was unable to hide anything, so I guess this part I don't quite understand. It was important for me that people knew what I was dealing with – and not whispering at the water cooler! The illness itself changed my life quite drastically – so – no hiding here. I can envy JLS as well – many of us are not that secure, and MS has taken its toll financially. At the very least she has the resources to deal with this and can access all the help she needs.
Yes, keeping it a secret is a luxury that not everyone has. I wonder if part of her decision to come forward might be that her symptoms are becoming more obvious.
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Hey Tripping. Hope you are well, I am. I read about JLS just the other day. Love that line you quoted. I too get annoyed and frustrated. I envy JLS in her success and opportunity. I wish her nothing but the best and hope I hear more of her in the future. Thanks for posting.
JE
Hi. Dealing with PPMS I was unable to hide anything, so I guess this part I don't quite understand.
It was important for me that people knew what I was dealing with – and not whispering at the water cooler! The illness itself changed my life quite drastically – so – no hiding here.
I can envy JLS as well – many of us are not that secure, and MS has taken its toll financially. At the very least she has the resources to deal with this and can access all the help she needs.
Nice to hear from you JE and glad to hear you are well.
Yes, keeping it a secret is a luxury that not everyone has. I wonder if part of her decision to come forward might be that her symptoms are becoming more obvious.
great
Thanks for reading.