Jack Osbourne Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis Days After Daughter's Birth
Jack Osbourne has revealed that he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and learned of his illness just two weeks after the birth of his first child. He told People magazine that he was angry and fearful that he would not be able to support his family.
"I was just angry and frustrated and kept thinking, 'Why now?'" he said. "I've got a family and that's what's suppose to be the most important thing." Osbourne and fiancée Lisa Stelly welcomed daughter Pearl Clementine on April 24 of this year.
Osbourne initially told Piers Morgan that he was "excited and a little nervous" about bringing a new life into the world, but fatherhood has certainly agreed with him.
"He gets up to change her diaper, burp her and put her back to sleep," Stelly told Hello! Magazine. "I've only changed three nappies- Jack's done all the others."
Yet multiple sclerosis may soon change the amount of energy Osbourne has. According to WebMD.com, multiple sclerosis "affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance and sensation." The disease affects nearly 400,000 Americans, primarily young adults.
As MS progresses, and it progresses at a different rate for every individual, symptoms could range from muscle weakness, decreased coordination, blurred or hazy vision with eye pain, and double vision. Other symptoms include muscle spasms, frequent pain, and cognitive problems.
Osbourne may have inherited the disease from family, as it is often passed from one family member to another.
"First, second and third degree relatives of people with MS are at increased risk of developing the disease," reads the website.
Fans of Osbourne, as well as the MS community, are rallying to raise awareness of the disease and offering their support for the 26-year-old actor. Sister Kelly Osbourne tweeted, "Please support my brother in not only his bravery but honesty! I love you so much jack & I'm so proud of you!"
Osbourne has responded to the outpouring of support through Twitter.
"Thank you all so much for the kind and inspirational words. It means a lot. #adaptandovercome," he tweeted.
