SELMA steps out!

After a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, travel became nearly impossible for Selma Blair. At California's iconic and accessible-Rosewood Miramar Beach, the actor shares her advice on getting back out there.

- Bethany Heitman

"I deeply missed traveling," says Selma Blair, recounting the time immediately following her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, when even simple tasks felt insurmountable. "Seeing new things can change your perspective. It inspires you. When you can't do that, it's a loss."

The 52-year-old actress can trace the start of her symptoms all the way back to fourth grade, when she temporarily lost control of her bladder and left leg. At the time, no one knew what was afflicting her; over the next several decades, doctors hypothesized that her symptoms were caused by everything from malnutrition to psychosis. So when she was finally diagnosed with MS in 2018, there was a sense of relief. But she was overwhelmed by the sometimes debilitating aspects of the diseaseboth walking and talking had become incredibly difficult.

Multiple sclerosis is caused by an abnormal immune response that attacks healthy cells in the brain and spinal cord. Those with the disorder experience a range of symptoms-some mild, others more severe-that include vision and memory loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination.

Pre-diagnosis, Blair, a Los Angeles-based actor, was known for hits like Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions. One of her favorite things to do when not on set was to see the world. She particularly loved exploring new places with her son, Arthur, who was born in 2011. (His dad is Blair's ex-partner, Jason Bleik.) After her diagnosis, Blair worried about being away from her doctors or finding herself in a place she'd be unable to navigate. And, of course, she had no clue whether her go-to hotels would even be accessible to someone with a disability.