Christina Applegate is navigating the profound challenges of multiple sclerosis with a raw honesty that continues to resonate with fans and fellow sufferers. While the disease has significantly impacted her physical abilities, confining her largely to her bed due to chronic pain, the actress finds strength in the small, meaningful moments with her family – particularly her 15-year-old daughter, Sadie.
In a recent interview with People published on , Applegate spoke candidly about the daily struggle and the simple joy she derives from school drop-off with Sadie. “I want to take her; it’s my favorite thing to do,” she shared. “It’s the only time we have together by ourselves.” The routine, she explained, is fueled by a determined focus: “I tell myself, ‘Just get her there safely and get home so you can get back into bed.’ And that’s what I do.”
Applegate first publicly disclosed her MS diagnosis in , and has since been remarkably open about the disease’s progression and its impact on her life. She’s been hospitalized over 30 times since her diagnosis, a testament to the unpredictable and often debilitating nature of MS. Her willingness to share her experience, she says, stems from a desire to be “as honest and raw as I possibly can,” acknowledging that “people’s lives…f–king suck sometimes.”
However, the toll of MS extends beyond Applegate’s personal experience; it’s deeply affecting her daughter. Recent revelations, shared on her “MesSy” podcast and reported by Page Six on , and Hello! Magazine on , paint a poignant picture of Sadie’s emotional response to her mother’s illness. Applegate described seeing “her look at me when I’m in bed and can’t quite move, or I wanna go say goodnight to her in her room, but I can’t quite get down the hallway.”
The actress admits that Sadie, now 14, initially responded to the diagnosis with a stoic silence, a reaction Applegate attributes to the fact that Sadie “only knew me as healthy, and a runner, and a Pelotoner and a dancer.” The shift was jarring, representing “like losing the mom she had to this f–king thing.” As Sadie has grown older, Applegate believes the emotional weight of the situation has become more pronounced. “The more she’s gotten older now, I think the more it’s hurting her,” she explained.
This sentiment was echoed in a Facebook post by Us Weekly on , highlighting Applegate’s admission that her MS battle has “broken” her daughter. The actress described witnessing Sadie’s pain, seeing it “in her eyes.”
The timing of Applegate’s diagnosis coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of complexity to the family’s experience. The isolation and disruption of the pandemic, coupled with the sudden change in Applegate’s physical capabilities, created a challenging environment for Sadie. Applegate acknowledged this confluence of events, noting that Sadie was grappling with both the pandemic’s impact and the loss of the mother she once knew.
Despite the heartache, Applegate emphasizes Sadie’s unwavering support and willingness to help. While the situation is undeniably difficult, Applegate continues to find purpose in these small moments of connection with her daughter, demonstrating a resilience that is both inspiring and deeply human. The simple act of school drop-off, a daily struggle, becomes a powerful symbol of a mother’s love and determination in the face of adversity.
Applegate’s openness about her health journey is not only deeply personal but also contributes to a broader conversation about chronic illness, family dynamics, and the challenges of navigating life with a debilitating condition. Her willingness to share the raw, unfiltered truth – the pain, the frustration, and the moments of joy – offers a powerful message of hope and solidarity to others facing similar struggles.
