Selma Blair has been open about the challenges she faces while traveling with multiple sclerosis.
“I have dystonia, which is often misinterpreted as being difficult or drunk,” says the Legally blonde actress Narrates Travel + Leisure Editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford. “Whatever I could be,” she added jokingly.
The audience, attending Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Summit in New York City, erupted in laughter. The two-day event was about exploring top trends in the travel industry, including accessible travel.
Blair continued: “When I really have to tighten up, I can get a little bit of spasticity and my dystonia kicks in – so I was always a little nervous about traveling, even though it was the biggest light in my life.”
The TV star was officially diagnosed with the autoimmune disease in 2018 – and has been in remission as of 2021 – but shared with British Vogue in 2023 that she had lived 40 years before learning she had MS (Multiple Sclerosis).
The actress said the disease is unpredictable, but her body tends to move when she is worried.
“MS is completely weird. We don’t usually make it up unless it’s a really bad dinner,” Blair jokes. “I go under the scaffolding and suddenly it sounds like I have cerebral palsy…”
Selma Blair usually travels light due to her condition, taking only a suitcase and her service dog Scout – which she got in 2022 after a neurologist recommended one for its potential physical and emotional benefits.
