On World MS Day, Janice Dean, the senior meteorologist at Fox News, shared an impactful message regarding her battle against multiple sclerosis. In a compelling video uploaded on Twitter, Dean expressed, “I wanted to inform you that MS doesn’t manifest itself in obvious ways.”
She referred to it as the “invisible illness” or the “My, you look so well” disease because outwardly, individuals may appear fine, having their hair and makeup done. However, their bodies are internally attacked as the central nervous system, including the brain and spine, is affected. Dean received her diagnosis of this neurological condition in 2005.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society states that multiple sclerosis is a condition that impacts the central nervous system, encompassing the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It involves the deterioration of the protective coating known as the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells, as explained by Mount Sinai.
Consequently, this damage can impede or halt the transmission of nerve signals. Currently, the cause of MS remains unknown, and a cure has not yet been discovered, according to the hospital. However, there are available treatments that can aid in decelerating the advancement of the disease.
Dean said she experienced a recent resurgence of symptoms. Dean stated, “I’ve actually been feeling a flare-up of symptoms as of late. Yesterday, I experienced a sensation akin to sunburn at the back of my neck. It persisted throughout the night, leading to restless sleep, and I’m still feeling it today.”
She emphasized that despite appearing fine externally, with hair and makeup done and a smile on her face during her appearances on ‘Fox and Friends,’ internally, it can be quite challenging and unpleasant. She acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a cheerful demeanor when the disease can cause such profound discomfort.
“Together, I think we are stronger, and I think even if we don’t have a cure for this, there is certainly the hope that we can stop the progression all together, which would be wonderful,” Dean said in the clip.
