Lauren Bedford Russell TV Star

Jewelry designer Lauren Bedford Russell who starred in Season 3 of Showtime's hit reality series The Real L Word talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Last July in the midst of The Real L Word airing Lauren was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This was a shocking and frightening diagnosis to receive at age 31, to say the least. The young reality TV star was at her prime both professionally and personally with a successful show and her relationship with cast member Kiyomi McCloskey, lead singer of Hunter Valentine, blossoming into a love of her life. Lauren's first MS "episode" manifested with loss of vision in one eye known as optic neuritis. She has now regained her vision back for the most part. When she was diagnosed Kiyomi was at her side. We talked to Lauren on her cellphone while touring with Hunter Valentine about her MS diagnosis and her spin on our LGBT issues. When asked how this diagnosis has been life changing for her Lauren stated, “Well it certainly changed my life in a lot of ways. First of course is how I’m living from day to day by taking my medication which is a Copaxone injection and being an overall healthier person. It adjusts your whole kind of way of thinking because with this disease you really don’t know what’s going to happen. Every experience is different and every single person who has it has a different story. You just have to think positive and know that will help you at the end. Everything you think will benefit your outcome. Just sort of shifting my attitude, shifting my day to day and shifting my outlook about what I want to accomplish in life.” Lauren Bedford Russell strongly believes in the power of one to make a difference after Jack Osbourne inspired her to go see her doctor back in June of 2012 about the first symptoms he experienced which were similar to hers. She suspected something was wrong. Now she is committed to doing the same for others and plans to work with the National MS Society in every possible way. She’s already designed a special bracelet for her Lyon Fine Jewelry line called POSITIVITY BRACELET with 15% of the proceeds to be donated to the National MS Society. For More Info: lyonfinejewelry.com

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