S. Samuel
R&B singer Lil Mo recently shared her input on rapper Missy Elliott's coming forward about her battles with Graves disease and offered a few words of inspiration.
According to Mo, her mother was also previously treated for Graves disease.
Recalling the day she got a beep from Missy while shopping at her hometown Green Acres mall, Mo credits Missy with helping launch and steering her career. That’s why “Big Sister” was an important song for her to include in the project, she adds. “She just helped me so much in my career. Ten years ago, had it not been for that phone call… she chose me,” says Lil Mo. “I have no choice but to show her respect. I owe her a thank-you.” Lil Mo also offered Missy, who recently revealed having Graves disease, words of encouragement. “I don’t want her to panic. My mother had Graves disease, and, from experience, I know she can be healed,” she says “I don’t want her to feel alone in this. I have her in my prayers.” (XXL Mag)
Last month, Missy came forward to clarify her experience with Graves.
“There have been some inaccuracies reported in regards to my diagnosis with Grave’s Disease, so I wanted to clear things up. I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease about three years ago but it really hasn’t slowed me down at all. I rocked my performance on VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ tribute to Timbaland last year. I’ve written and produced a bunch of Grammy-nominated, #1 hits for artists like Keyshia Cole, Monica and Jasmine Sullivan. I toured the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. And on top of all that, I’m working on my new album. I feel great. Under my doctor’s supervision, I’ve been off medication for about a year and I’m completely managing the condition through diet and exercise.” (Statement)
Earlier the same week, details of Missy’s disease talk on VH1’s “Behind the Music” emerged.
According to Brad Abramson, executive producer for Missy’s VH1 Behind the Music (premiering June 29) the visionary suffered from painful health problems. “Missy was great and very candid. She talked for the first time about her [near fatal bout with] Graves disease, which she’s been battling for the last few years, and spoke in detail about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child.” Missy opened up about her fight with the autoimmune disease even more saying: “You live with it the rest of your life. I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad. I couldn’t even use a pen.” (VIBE)
She also discusses how difficult it was to complete daily activities.
“I was (driving and) trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn’t keep the brake down and almost crashed… I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad – I couldn’t even use a pen.” (PEOPLE)
Check out Missy Elliott & Lil Mo’s “You Don’t Know” below:
