Jamie Lynn Sigler believes it takes a village.
Specifically. A strong village.
When you are managing relapsing multiple sclerosis while raising a family the standard “it takes a village” proverb doesn’t quite cut it.
It has to be robust. Reliable.
Sigler knows this because she lived it.
Starred in a massive TV show back in the early 20s? Yes.
Diagnosed with RMS at age 20? Also yes.
For fifteen years she kept it quiet. She navigated the illness privately while building her career. She waited until she became a mother to finally talk about it.
Why?
Perhaps she felt she had earned the right to her narrative. Or perhaps she just needed the perspective of motherhood to understand why secrecy no longer served her.
The hardest part wasn’t the fatigue.
It was the self-judgment.
“I’ve had some moments of harsh judgment,” Sigler says. Her boys are active. She isn’t always physically able to keep up with the chase. Those moments sting.
But she learned a valuable lesson.
The condition doesn’t subtract from your worth as a mom.
Once she accepted that truth everything shifted.
She could adjust.
She could show up differently.
She could play in ways that fit her capacity instead of mourning the ways they didn’t.
That feeling of being good enough? It came from making the pivot. Not from ignoring the pain.
Reframing The Struggle
Sigler didn’t just keep these lessons to herself.
She partnered with Novartis to create a guide called Reframing MS.
It’s a three-step process she uses for any life challenge.
Not just health ones. All of them.
- Reflection. Feel the emotions. Acknowledge the reaction to the moment. Don’t rush past the frustration.
- Reframing. Accept the situation. Pivot. Adjust. Figure out how to move forward with what you actually have.
- Reach out for help.
That last one?
Tricky.
Mothers especially struggle here. We want to do everything. We want to be the hero and the shield and the safety net all at once.
We can’t.
Self-care often looks like admitting you can’t do it alone.
Sigler admits it was hard to do. But she did it anyway.
And something unexpected happened.
Her friendships deepened.
“People like to be of service.”
Her friends stepped in. They helped her make those pivots. They taught her how to show up fully as a wife and friend even when her energy was low.
She wants her sons to grow up seeing that.
No shame in vulnerability.
No pride in carrying it all.
Finding Your Voice In Treatment
Advocacy is another pillar.
Speaking up isn’t just a nice skill. It’s survival.
Sigler credits finding her voice for her medical success.
“Finding my voice and advocating for myself… has set me up for success.”
Choosing MS treatment is messy. Overwhelming.
To help others navigate it she co-created a decision guide. It’s essentially a checklist. Questions to ask your specialist.
Ask about study results.
Ask about the types of options available.
Get informed. Don’t guess.
By talking honestly with her doctor she found KESIMPTA.
Ofatumumab.
Indicated for relapsing MS in adults.
The regimen is distinct.
Three starter doses a week. Then once a month.
You can take it at home.
It moves with you.
On the go.
Every parent is fighting a good fight.
Sigler knows this.
She knows some battles look different. Some are louder. Some are silent.
“We’re all doing the best we can,” she says.
She wants to raise good kids.
We all do.
But we aren’t all doing it alone.
Curious to see the approach in action? Check the video linked in the original article for more.
Safety & Indications
What is KESIMPT?
A prescription medicine for adults with relapsing MS forms. This includes clinically isolated syndrome and active secondary progressive disease.
Effectiveness in children is unknown.
Who should NOT take it?
Consult your HCP. See full prescribing info.
Important Safety Information
Serious side effects may occur.
* Infections
* Infusion reactions
Tell your doctor if you have:
* A history of serious infections
* A weakened immune system
Tell your HCP about everything:
Prescriptions. OTC meds. Vitamins. Herbs.
How to use:
Follow the detailed Instructions for Use included with the package. It covers preparation, injection, and proper disposal of Sensoready pens or prefilled syringes
Report adverse events to the FDA via www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-888-FDA-108.
