Jack Osbourne, the 26-year old son of aging rocker Ozzy Osbourne, has revealed he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis just a few weeks after his daughter Pearl was born.
The diagnosis came after Jack lost 60% of his vision in one eye and had to be tested to find out why. M.S. is an auto-immune disease that targets the central nervous system and affects various parts of the body. It can become difficult to see clearly or walk, and many patients end up using a wheelchair due to lack of muscle control. Unfortunately, there is no cure yet, but doctors have told Jack there is no reason not to be optimistic since he caught it in its early stages.
Decreasing stress and keeping a log of possible “triggers” for symptoms are two key factors in living with M.S., and Jack says he is learning to deal with it despite being initially very angry.
“While I was waiting for the final results, I got really, really angry,” he said. “Then I got really sad for about two days, and after that I realised, being angry and upset is not going to do anything at this point – if anything it’s only going to make it worse. ‘Adapt and overcome’ is my new motto.”
Jack’s outspoken mom, Sharon, said she feels guilty and immediately thought the disease came about because of something she’d done–or not done–while pregnant with Jack.
“I keep thinking: ‘What did I do wrong? What did I eat or drink when I was pregnant? I feel like it’s somehow my fault”, she said.
But Jack’s fiance, Lisa Stelly, says the diagnosis may have come at the best possible time.
“Jack will have to change his life for the better – get healthier, not get stressed – so I feel like this could almost be a blessing in disguise”, she said.