Actor turned heads and captured the public’s heart for years with her role in Married … With Children but was diagnosed with the disease last year
Christina Applegate made headlines and captivated audiences in the 1990s for her work on Married … With Children and for her breakthrough role in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
The 40-year-old actress turned heads once again when she announced she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. She later became the spokesperson for a newly launched MSTV campaign that offers free services and resources for families with children with the disease.
Applegate’s message on her 50th birthday was a reminder that she didn’t let her diagnosis slow her down.
“There’s no period in your life that’s less important than your 50s. You can do anything you want,” Applegate wrote in a message posted to her official Instagram account. “Anyone can do anything in their life. It just takes a different mind-set and passion.”
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“Think big, don’t forget to be true to yourself and stay clear headed,” she said. “Do you want to heal, expand or grow? Whatever the answer you should have faith and know you are on the right path.”
Applegate has been very open about her struggles with the disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord and affects more than 200,000 people in the US. The former television star went to a neurologist about a mysterious bout of blurred vision and ended up with a diagnosis. She kept it secret until last summer when she did an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show. The host was impressed when Applegate said it’s not about slowing down, but how she is surrounded by a close-knit team that helped make the best of her diagnosis.
“I’m not gonna allow this thing that’s [inaudible] to become the story,” she said in the interview. “I want to use the story to do what I can to help.”
Applegate launched MSTV, which offers more than 1,000 free downloadable videos on how to deal with the disease, and written articles, on YouTube in August. She also was featured in an editorial for People magazine, explaining that it’s important for patients to seek out the support of their families and friends.
Applegate also has two sons, Dylan and Sadie, with former spouses Dax Shepard and Martyn LeNoble.