Selma Blair has clapped back at "trolls" who criticized her for posting about her multiple sclerosis symptoms on social media.
The 50-year-old actress - best known for starring in Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions - was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease in 2018 and has been in remission since 2021.
Blair has been open about her journey and even uses her Instagram to spread awareness about the condition and other disabilities. She has even started creating picture descriptions so that her blind followers can also access her content.
However, the actress has revealed to Today that as a result of her informative posts, she has been slammed by users who don’t understand her intentions.
Speaking to the publication, the Hellboy actress stated that she has minimized how much she talks about her medical problems online - especially on Instagram.
"I don’t share that as much on Instagram, and I should. I can’t tell you how many trolls are like, 'This narcissistic b****, she gives her caption and then she talks about herself.' And I’m like, 'Dude, it’s not for my own ego to describe myself in my caption. It is for someone that is being read to,'" she explained.
"We're not accustomed to thinking outside of our own social group," she continued. "That was an awakening for me [to see] how much people didn't realize a lot of what they think is my narcissism is just becoming more aware of other people's needs."
The Sweetest Thing actress described it as a "freeing" experience to learn how to be more mindful of those with disabilities, adding: "I grew up very privileged in my thinking, to not have to always consider other people.
"And it feels much better to consider other people, and I definitely don't have as much of a concern about my own ego in the same way," she told the outlet.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, MS causes harm to nerve fibers in the central nervous system. After a while, it can lead to eyesight problems, muscle weakness, loss of balance, and numbness.
Sharing an update on her condition, Blair disclosed to the outlet: "I still have symptoms. 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," she added, guaranteeing that she can endure anything that comes her way. "I don't live in fear of this condition at all."
The Brown's Requiem star candidly opened up to Self in January about how her autoimmune disease continues to impact her daily life.
"I'm so much better, but it haunts my physical cells. It's there. Some people wake up two years later and they're like, 'I'm healed! Colors are brighter!' But I never had that moment. I just stopped having regression," she said.
Blair shared that she feels like a different version of herself, and elucidated that the diagnosis "rewired" her "to find acceptance in being honest about my faults, about my past addiction, and about my problems," adding: "It made me more empathetic towards myself."
