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In an interview with Variety this week, actor Michael J. Fox revealed that he has suffered a number of injuries as a result of his Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991 at age 29. Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that causes unintended stiffness, shakiness and difficulty with coordination, and worsens over time, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Despite facing significant challenges, Fox has found comfort in the support of his family, who continue to help him get through his health issues. “I just enjoy the little math problems of existence,” the actor said. “I love waking up and figuring that stuff out and at the same time being with my family.”
Fox has also come to accept the impacts the debilitating disease may have on his body. “My problem is I fall down. I trip over things and fall down and break things. And that’s part of having this,” he said. “But I hope that, and I feel that, I won’t break as many bones tomorrow. So that’s being optimistic.”
Since going public about his illness, Fox has worked hard to raise money for Parkinson’s, a disease he learned was underfunded for research and treatment development. The nonprofit Michael J. Fox Foundation, which was founded in 2000, has raised more than $1.5 billion for Parkinson’s research, according to its website.
Parkinson’s disease affects about 500,000 Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health, but some experts estimate that as many as one million Americans may have the disease, as it often goes undiagnosed.
Although Fox retired from acting in 2020 due to struggles with learning lines and acting as a result of the disease, he will soon appear in a new documentary about his life, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” which details his successful career, his journey with sobriety, his battle with Parkinson’s, and his determined spirit to continue living on his own terms despite the disease’s immobilizing symptoms.
“No matter how much I sit here and talk to you about how I’ve philosophically accepted it and taken its weight, Parkinson’s is still kicking my ass. I won’t win at this. I will lose,” Fox told the magazine. “But, there’s plenty to be gained in the loss.”
In summary, Fox’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of family support and community advocacy. It is a reminder that while diseases like Parkinson’s can be debilitating and challenging, there is always hope for a brighter future through research, education, and compassion.
Credit: cbsnews.com
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