There are many celebrities out there that are suffering from chronic illnesses of all kinds. Some of them are probably even still suffering in silence while many of them have taken the time to speak out and stand up for others with the same illnesses and issues. Chronic illness is hard to live with and it’s even harder when your life is constantly in the spotlight.
Most celebrities will attempt to keep their illnesses under wraps, just to keep off the front page of the tabloids. However, most of these celebrities have at least spoken out about their illnesses, and maybe even attempted to help others with the same problems.
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991, but he didn’t come out about it publicly until 1998. His coming out was during his stint on the television show Spin City, and he left the show in 2001. When you see him speak now you can see him shake and sway at times, but he has been doing a ton of work with his foundation to help those like him.
Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels, the rock star that fronted the 80s band Poison, not only suffers from diabetes, but he has also had heart health issues. Because of his health he really has to work hard to take care of himself, and at least once he has been taken off stage by emergency personnel. Bret often speaks out about his illness, and he still makes a living as a rock star while managing his illness and a family.
Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott left her music career after she was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune illness. She has suffered bad times with her illness, and she has lost weight due to this illness that attacks her thyroid.
Marcia Cross
Actress Marcia Cross has been suffering from debilitating migraine headaches since she was 14 years old. Anyone that has had migraines or even tension headaches knows the pain of a bad headache, but living with them for most of your life has to take something out of you, though you wouldn’t see it in this amazing actress’ career.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson, the sexy blond from the cover of Playboy and the orange bathing suit of Baywatch, contracted Hepatitis C when she “romantically” shared a tattoo needle with her former rock star husband Tommy Lee. Since the changes in medicine and the coming out of a medication that can actually cure this once incurable disease, for some people. she has recently claimed to be cured.
While these five celebrities are not the only ones out there suffering, they are some people that you’re likely to have heard of, and may have even heard about their illnesses. The one thing you need to remember is that you are not your illness, and your illness does not need to control your life. These celebrities are proof of that!
