Selma Blair says son describing her as ‘brave’ through MS battle is one of her ‘proudest moments’

‘He’s had to endure a lot; he’s seen a lot’

Honoree Selma Blair and Arthur Saint Bleick attend the 26th annual Race to Erase MS on May 10, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California (Getty Images)

Selma Blair has opened up about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), revealing that her son describing her as “brave” is one of her “proudest moments”.

The actor, best known for her performances in Legally Blonde and Hellboy, revealed in October 2018 that she’d been diagnosed with MS two months previously.

The chronic condition can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms including problems with vision, muscle spasms and fatigue, the NHS states.

In a new interview with People magazine, the actor discussed her daily battle with the neurological disease and how her eight-year-old son, Arthur, has expressed his awe at her determination and bravery.

“He’s had to endure a lot; he’s seen a lot,” Blair told the publication, recalling times her son has seen her fall down the stairs and rush to the toilet when she’s feeling ill.

Despite her illness, Blair said that her son has praised her on her strength.

“He says, ‘Mommy’s not sick. Mommy’s brave’,” the Cruel Intentions star continued, adding that her son has said he likes it when she picks him up from school.

“He said, ‘I love when you come to school because you make the kids laugh and you answer all their questions,’” she recalled.

The actor said she embraces the opportunity to explain to children why she “walks and talks funny” as a result of her condition.

“I explain what’s happening and that my voice doesn’t hurt, and we have really decent exchanges,” she said.

“I had no idea Arthur was proud of that. I thought ‘I’m probably an embarrassment,’ but to know I’m not was one of my proudest moments.”

Blair also joked that she is currently enjoying one-sided games of dodge ball with her son.

“We play dodge ball, but I don’t dodge because that could be so dangerous,” she said.

“Maybe in the future for sure, but I don’t move side to side perfectly, and so I get to just hit him and then he throws it back to me, really chivalrously. And then I get to hit him again, and he thinks it’s amazing.”

The star added that her son motivates her to live her life to the fullest.

“This is it. The only life we get,” she told the publication. “My disease isn’t a tragedy, but I tell myself, ‘You’re going to live in a way that would be an example for yourself and your son’.”

Last week, Blair credited horseback riding for helping her “grow with self love” amid her ongoing battle with MS.

The star posted a photograph on Instagram of herself with her horse Sky Top and explained how animal therapy can provide relief to people living with her illnesses.

In the photo’s caption, Blair said her trainer found her horse when she was struggling after the birth of her son, and that the animal has kept her feeling motivated.