Jamie-Lynn Sigler opened up about getting emotional filming her guest stint on Grey's Anatomy amid her battle with multiple sclerosis. "Prior to this [opportunity], I was always trying to say, 'We can work around [my MS]. Don't worry, there's things that we can do to hide it.' [Jobs] always did and I appreciated it. I was met with such compassion and love. But now I had an opportunity to play somebody with MS," Sigler, 44, exclusively told Us Weekly. Sigler, who plays Dr. Laura Kaplan in the Thursday, January 15, episode of the hit ABC series, was grateful her character mentioned MS on screen. "It's an opportunity for her to connect with Richard about his prostate cancer diagnosis and saying, 'I see you. I have MS and this is how I felt when I was first diagnosed,'" she teased. "Being able to connect in that way was a parallel of my own life. To say I have MS on screen, the first time I did it, I teared up and needed a minute." Grey's Anatomy Cast Health Scares Through the Years: Eric Dane and More The actress wasn't expecting to be so affected, adding, "I thought this was going to be the thing that took away from my acting career. I thought this was a thing that was gonna mean that my dreams couldn't come true. To be on screen and be able to say these words just felt so much bigger than me. [This was] for all of the people like me that are afraid of things not being possible because of living with whatever it may be. I also realize at the end of it that any time I'm on screen is representation." Sigler originally opened up about her MS battle in 2016, nearly 15 years after she was diagnosed. She has since used her platform as a way to connect with others experiencing MS to raise awareness about the chronic autoimmune disease where nerve signals are disrupted. "I'm somebody that just lives with this. In all of the roles in my life, MS comes along with it. But it doesn't change anything. It doesn't change my value in anything. So [it was] really [about] understanding that my disability does not make me incapable or weak," she continued. "And [now I can] give these messages to people that pivots have to be made but we all have to make pivots for life. Whether it's a chronic illness or not, it's so much bigger than me." Sigler expressed gratitude for Grey's Anatomy offering her such a meaningful role. "For Grey's Anatomy to give me personally that opportunity but also to give other people that visibility and that moment is what they do best," she gushed. "I just felt really, really honored to get to be a part of that." Looking ahead, Sigler expressed hope that others would follow suit. "People are still either trepidatious or confused. I have found the confidence to say to any project that I'm a part of, 'This is how I come. I walk with a limp and I move this way. If you're OK with that [then] great,'" she noted. "But I know that I can't be the best actress I can be if I'm trying to look like an able-bodied person." Ned Fulmer, Christina Applegate and More Stars Battling Multiple Sclerosis She continued: "So removing that pressure from myself has allowed me to do my best work and allowed me to come into a work environment comfortable. I hope it is paving a way for other people to say, 'This is what I need.' It evens the playing field. It makes an opportunity for other people to be vulnerable and open. ... I think we all carry things with us. I'm kind of grateful that mine is on the outside because it's allowed me to have some really beautiful connections and perspective. Now I get to bring it into my work." Off screen, Sigler teamed up with Novartis to "create resources" for others living with MS. She broke down for Us how Novartis "created a treatment guide" to help people "process what's about to happen." Sigler also discussed her decision to take Kesimpta for her relapsing MS. After three starter doses, she has been taking the medication once a month. "I'm actually waiting for a call today if I get a job or not. I'll be in whatever state it is next week, and my treatment's due next week, so I can take it with me," Sigler said, adding that anyone considering the treatment should consult a medical professional. "The main thing I wanna give the MS community is confidence and power, and not let their MS define them or allow them to feel like they are incapable or weak. You have to find a new way." Grey's Anatomy airs on ABC Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.