FOX News meteorologist Janice Dean has opened up about her deeply personal, years-long experience living with multiple sclerosis—a chronic, often hidden condition she’s quietly battled since her diagnosis in 2005.
In a recent message shared with viewers and fellow MS patients, Dean offered heartfelt encouragement and solidarity, calling those living with the illness her “fellow warriors.” Her message resonated with honesty, aimed at raising awareness and offering hope to others facing similar challenges.
Dean described MS as an “invisible illness”—a disease that can be masked by a composed appearance, even when the symptoms are intense. “It’s the ‘You look great’ illness,” she noted, highlighting how outward appearances can hide the reality of an ongoing internal fight.
MS disrupts the body’s central nervous system, affecting the way the brain and spinal cord communicate with the rest of the body. And while Dean is a familiar face to millions, delivering weather reports with her usual warmth and poise, she revealed that behind the scenes—even on World MS Day—she was dealing with symptoms herself.
“Today, I’m feeling the effects of my MS,” she said, giving a rare and intimate glimpse into her reality. One of the symptoms she lives with is a burning sensation on the back of her neck, which she likened to a constant sunburn.
Despite the physical toll, Dean shared a powerful message of resilience and gratitude. “Even when it’s hard to smile, we do it anyway,” she said. “I want to thank all of my fellow MS warriors—those who keep going no matter what.”
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological condition that affects an estimated 2.8 million people worldwide. While treatments exist to manage symptoms, there is currently no cure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Dean’s openness shines a light on the often-unseen struggles of those living with MS and reminds us all of the strength it takes to keep moving forward—even when the journey is far from easy.
