Jamie-Lynn Sigler Opens up about MS Battle
Jamie-Lynn Sigler came forward this earlier this year about her 15-year battle with multiple sclerosis and she’s with The Doctors to share how she has not let her disease stop her from living her best life.
She reveals what inspired her to go public with her diagnosis. “It was sort of another job that I had keeping this secret, people judging me and limiting me without [being able to explain] what my limits were. But also too being a mother… thinking about [my son] in the future and asking him to keep this secret for me. What kind of example would I giving to him? I want to teach him compassion and that no matter what your circumstances you deserve a very full life,” the actress, who has a 3-year-old son with pro baseball player Cutter Dykstra, explains.
The 35-year-old star, who has appeared in a slew of TV and film projects since stepping into the spotlight on “The Sopranos,” tells The Doctors that she’s honored to be an advocate for others with MS. She has teamed up with Reimagine MySelf, which helps people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis to reimagine life with the chronic disease.
Watch: How MS Affects the Body
“It’s given me a platform to be a real advocate for people that suffer in silence,” she continues. “I deal with [MS], it’s hard, you have to alter things, but it doesn’t mean your life has to stop.”
The actress says she initially went symptom-free for many years after being diagnosed, but a stressful divorce caused her condition to worsen. It has affected her strength, created bladder issues, and limits her ability to run. In future blog posts, she plans to get very candid about her MS battle about the disease including how it affects parenting and her sex life.
Jamie-Lynn goes on to encourage others with MS find a good support system. “Whether it’s a therapist, a friend, a spouse. I kept it inside for so long and I regret that – to have an open dialogue is very important,” she adds.
Watch: Are Mercury Fillings Safe? Are They Linked To MS?
Catch Jamie-Lynn in her new film, “Loserville,” which opens on September 30. Plus, find out more about her MS battle and her partnership with Reimagine MySelf.
