Christina Applegate has bravely delved into a poignant discussion she had with her daughter, revealing intimate details during her appearance on the "Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa" podcast. The 53-year-old actress, best known for her role in "Dead to Me," shared the heartfelt conversation she recently had with her 14-year-old daughter, Sadie, about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 2021.
"I don't arise each morning driven by my condition; I rise because of her," Applegate said, referring to Sadie, whom she shares with her husband Martyn LeNoble. "She is the very essence of why I continue to fight and strive."
Applegate recounted a poignant moment, "She once confessed, 'I miss the person you were before you got sick.' Those words cut deep, like a sharp blade piercing through my heart, because I too long for the days when I was healthy and vigorous."
Throughout the years, Applegate has been transparent about the challenges her life with MS has posed. In May, she disclosed on the "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" podcast that her condition now confines her to the confines of her home. "People would be overwhelmed if they witnessed my daily struggles. There are times when I too find it overwhelming. It is incredibly arduous," she admitted at that time. "I scarcely venture out anymore," she confessed to O'Brien.
Applegate was diagnosed with MS in 2021, a progressive disease that attacks the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can lead to muscle weakness, vision impairments, numbness, and memory issues.
Last March, Applegate openly discussed how MS has impacted her parenting, revealing to PEOPLE magazine that her diagnosis prevents her from being the mother she desires to be for Sadie. "She has witnessed the diminishing presence of her mother, the mother who danced with her daily, picked her up from school, volunteered at her school library, and was always active and vibrant outside our home. She has also suffered a loss, and we are navigating this journey together," Applegate shared.
The actress further elaborated that there are instances when her symptoms are excruciatingly painful, rendering her unable to fulfill her duties as a mother. "When she enters the room and sees me lying on my side, she understands not to ask for anything. That breaks my heart into a million pieces. I adore doing things for my child, preparing her meals, bringing them to her. I cherish it all, but sometimes, I am physically unable. Yet, I persist. I keep trying," said Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS while filming her Netflix series "Dead to Me."
