Brave Actress Selma Blair, 50, Shines in Gap Ad, Decades After Working For The Retailer– Thriving Through Multiple Sclerosis

“Once I was on my own, I was really on my own,” the Michigan native told PEOPLE of moving to the Big Apple to pursue an acting career. “I lived at the Salvation Army. I worked at Gap. I worked at the coffee shop. I was a full-time acting student, and it was the moment.”

To save money on train fare, Blair recalled walking for “70 blocks,” to work, but she loved wearing her “fresh Gap clothes” to get her through it. Gap put an extra bounce in her step then and the household name has continued to deliver, making her feel more magical than ever to return to her roots in such an empowering way.

“I felt like walking around that town, wearing my loafers and my men’s khakis and my white shirt that I looked pretty damn polished and good,” she said. “It is my pride.”

“For me, Gap is something I do truly live in and love, and to be included in this … it’s a day that I’m really happy will live in a campaign,” she added, expressing her gratitude.

Related: Actress Selma Blair, 48, Takes Comfort in Support from the Multiple Sclerosis Community, 'I'm So Grateful'

Currently, Blair’s career trajectory is unstoppable, as she will also be hitting the small screen’s biggest ballroom on Dancing with the Stars this season to compete for the mirror ball trophy.

Already a winner in our eyes, the health advocate is inspiring countless people suffering from MS, and others with so-called “invisible” disabilities.

 

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This is a strong reminder that you can overcome more than you think you are capable of, and no matter what your situation, it can always get better.

Learning About Multiple Sclerosis

Selma Blair was diagnosed with this degenerative autoimmune condition in October 2018, after suffering for years with unexplained symptoms like falling, dropping things, and issues with her memory.

Rather than staying private about her day-to-day challenges, the filmmaker has since become a strong voice in the health community, particularly raising awareness about mental health challenges.

Related: MS Warrior Selma Blair Talks To 'GMA' About Her New Documentary on Fighting the Disease: 'We Have to Take Care of Ourselves and Be Patient'

Blair underwent chemotherapy for treatment, and shared her hair loss journey with fans through social media. However, due to her illness, she still suffers from regular chronic pain, which caused her to struggle with activities she used to love.

That’s why it’s so incredibly inspiring that she is fighting through these notoriously strenuous dance routines.

'Cruel Intentions' Star Selma Blair, 50, Rehearses For 'Dancing With The Stars' While Living With Multiple Sclerosis 'We Do These Things We Want To Find Joy In'

With MS, cancer, and other chronic disease, even getting out of bed can be a challenge on down days, and if Selma can get up and fight, so can you!

After an extremely dark period of suffering, Blair’s story is one of triumph that anyone going through a difficult health situation can relate to.

Treating MS with Chemotherapy

When someone hears “chemotherapy,” most automatically think of cancer, and understandably so. So why is Blair undergo chemotherapy for a disease of the nervous system that has nothing to do with cancer?

Related: Why Is Actress Selma Blair Getting Chemotherapy For Multiple Sclerosis?

It turns out that chemotherapy can actually be quite effective at killing cells that break down the nervous system if you have MS. As a result, chemotherapy can slow down or stop the disease.

A Story of Hope for MS Sufferers

Nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States, according to a 2019 study funded by the National MS Society. In Don’t Stop Me Now, SurvivorNetTV features the story of one incredible woman who, like Blair,  learns to overcome her own hardships, and inspires countless people along the way.

MS warrior Louise Carr might look perfectly healthy on the outside, but behind her warm smile a war rages on inside her body.

The disease causes her daily pain, fatigue, memory loss and restricts movement. But even in her darkest moments Louise holds true that "I might have MS, but it doesn't have me.”

'Don't Stop Me Now' Is Inspiration for Anybody With Multiple Sclerosis

For Louise, switching to a vegan dietcoupled with a focus on more active livinghas been a game changer. Through yoga and Zumba classes, along with riding a recumbent bicycle, she discovered her physical and mental outlook both had greatly improved.

"To my absolute astonishment within a week of becoming vegan my energy levels absolutely shot up. It's changed my life," Louise says.

Her strength is unmatched, her positivity infectious. Similar to Selma Blair, Louise Carr's story is living proof that mindset does matter.

 

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