Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, best known as Meadow Soprano, was recently seen using a wheelchair at the airport. This sighting has raised new interest in her long-term battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Sigler was first diagnosed with the condition at age 20.
The 44-year-old star wants fans to know she is doing well. She recently returned to TV on Grey’s Anatomy, playing a doctor who also has MS. She described the role as a “full circle” moment that allowed her to represent the MS community with honesty.
For 15 years, Sigler kept her illness a secret. She worried that the truth would stop her from getting acting jobs. Today, she says she is “done hiding.” She wants to show that living with a disability does not make a person weak or incapable.
MS is a lifelong condition where the immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause fatigue and trouble walking. Sigler explained that using a wheelchair is sometimes a “necessary” step to manage her energy while she works.
By being open, Sigler hopes to give others living with chronic illness more hope. She is now an active advocate, proving that while a health journey may require a “new way” of doing things, it can still lead to a beautiful and successful life.