Fox News’ Janice Dean Shares Heartfelt Message on World MS Day, Opens Up About Her Invisible Battle
Living with an Invisible Illness
Janice described MS as an “invisible illness,” explaining that while she may look fine on the outside, her body is actively fighting an internal battle. “I call it the invisible illness, the ‘My, you look so well’ disease because we can be looking fine, I got my hair and makeup done, but inside our body is attacking its central nervous system, the brain, and the spine,” she explained. MS causes a breakdown in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from pain to difficulty moving.
On this particular World MS Day, Janice revealed that she was experiencing symptoms of her illness, including a sunburn sensation on the back of her neck. Despite her visible appearance, the inner struggle of MS made this a difficult day. “Even though we look okay on the surface – I got my hair and makeup done, I’m smiling on Fox & Friends – inside can be quite a challenge and what it feels like,” she said.
Gratitude and Strength Amid Struggles
While it’s sometimes tough to maintain a smile when facing pain, Janice expressed gratitude for the support of her fellow MS warriors. She acknowledged the ongoing battle many people with MS face daily, saying, “So it’s sometimes tough to put on that smiling face, but we have to do it, and I wanted to, on this World MS Day, thank you to all my fellow MS warriors who continue to move despite the challenges every day.”
The Reality of MS
Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease of the central nervous system. It occurs when the immune system attacks the protective sheath around nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and body. There is no cure for MS, and the disease can vary greatly from person to person in terms of severity and symptoms.
With over 2.8 million people living with MS worldwide, Janice’s candidness about her invisible battle serves to raise awareness about the struggles of those with MS and other chronic conditions. Her strength in sharing her personal experience offers support to others who are facing similar challenges, showing that even when a person looks okay on the outside, they may be enduring a much tougher fight on the inside.
Janice’s message on World MS Day was a powerful reminder that we should always be compassionate and understanding, as we never truly know what others may be silently going through.