Multiple Sclerosis Foundation - Why Christina Applegate is my MS muse

What is a muse? The word “muse” is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, to muse is to consider something thoughtfully. As a noun, it means a person — especially a woman who is a source of artistic inspiration. In mythology, the Muses were nine goddesses who symbolized the arts and sciences.

Today, a muse is a person who serves as an artist's inspiration. Often filmmakers talk about a certain actor being a muse — meaning the actor inspired a movie. Writers, painters, musicians, and other artists often have muses to help guide them, to shed light, and to bring a little magic into their creative endeavors. I don’t think you have to be a person involved with the creative arts to have a muse. Like Peter Pan’s “Tinker Bell,” there are those magical people out there who sprinkle us with “pixie dust” – they mentor, inspire, and motivate us as humans in this world.

So, why do I consider Christina Applegate to be my muse? It is because of how beautifully she presents herself to the world and in how candidly she shares her stories about living with multiple sclerosis, no holds barred. I find her relatable in so many ways and I feel she continues to have a positive effect and is a powerful voice for raising awareness throughout society as a whole and for the MS community at large.

Grit and grace

What can I tell you about Christina Applegate and her advocacy work for MS and breast cancer? She’s certainly had many health struggles during the years, and she has put her experiences in the forefront without holding back. She seems to be the most raw, honest and open person (celebrity) I’ve seen who shares her stories truthfully. In my eyes, she is a relatable ally and a great representative for so many of us in the MS community. The way she talks about her life with chronic illness and how she uses her sense of humor reveals a down to earth person who also exudes amazing beauty and strength. I call this having “grit and grace.”

Yes, other celebrities have shared their own stories here and there over the years. We’ve seen them appear on television, documentaries, podcasts, interviews, blogs, and articles. In my opinion, very few seem to come across as open and relatable as Christina Applegate and the way she tells her story. Her raw, self-deprecating persona and sense of humor are powerful. That resonates with me and fuels my spirit. It means a lot to see someone like her put it all out there as someone who is also living with MS.

Let me be clear. I firmly believe that a person (celebrity or not) should be allowed to disclose or not disclose their life with chronic illness. However, I do appreciate those celebrities who openly share without sugar coating. This is especially powerful when they divulge real life moments, ups and downs, and other events that others throughout the MS community can find relatable, even though most of us do not live in the celebrity world.

Honesty and humor

Christina Applegate has indeed been incredibly open and vulnerable in sharing her health struggles, using her platform to advocate for awareness and understanding around breast cancer and MS. Her journey with breast cancer began in 2008 when she was diagnosed and underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her risk, as she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. In 2021, she revealed her MS diagnosis, adding another layer to her advocacy and openness about living with chronic illness.

Applegate’s humor and authenticity have been vital coping tools. She’s shared in various interviews that laughter and a sense of humor help her manage the challenges of chronic illness, turning difficult moments into ones she can find some lightness in. She once commented, “If you don’t laugh, you’re going to cry, so you might as well laugh.” This resilience has not only inspired fans but has also created a sense of solidarity among those who relate to her struggles living with MS. Take a look at this interview she recently did with Jimmy Kimmel.

Public awareness advocacy

In a 2021 social media post announcing her MS diagnosis, she acknowledged that it had been a “tough road,” but continued with, “as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some a****** blocks it.” This mix of honesty and humor resonates deeply with her followers, and with me.

Here are a couple of fantastic video clips everyone should watch. Both of these videos are beautiful and emotional on so many levels. Also, these might reveal a bit as to why I’ve chosen her to be my muse.

Applegate has also used her experiences to advocate for better understanding and support for those with chronic illnesses, especially invisible ones such as MS. She’s spoken about the importance of public awareness for the often-invisible symptoms of MS, including fatigue and pain. In recent interviews, she has expressed the difficulty of adjusting to a life that her health has dramatically altered, all while maintaining her public career, notably in her work on the show, Dead to Me, where her character’s storyline resonated even more because of her real-life experiences.

Christina is quite active on social media and for those of you who still use “X” (formerly Twitter) you can follow Christina there to keep up with the latest updates about her, MS life, and her advocacy projects. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation also occasionally spotlights her insights and work, helping further her reach as an advocate for these communities and more.

For those of you who enjoy podcasts, I highly encourage you to check out MeSsy with Christina Applegate and Jaime Lynn Sigler (click on the hyperlink for the podcast). These two fabulous actresses with MS have teamed up together to talk about life with MS and more. The podcast is quite popular, informative, and a lot of fun, so I encourage you to check it out. Here’s a link to hear their latest episode.

By the way, I too am a barefoot gal.