Michael J. Fox, 61, famous for his role as Marty McFly in the groundbreaking film “Back to the Future,” recently spoke out about his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with for the first time at the age of 29.
In an emotional interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Fox spoke up about his challenges while maintaining an unwavering optimism. He described the relentless progression of his sickness as a “gift that keeps on taking.”
The gifted actor was first informed of his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis a full year after the release of the third and final installment of the beloved “Back to the Future” trilogy.
Fox, a passionate campaigner and former Hollywood star, said, “Having Parkinson’s stinks,” when asked about his condition in a touching interview. New challenges arise with each passing day, but this is life and we must adapt.
Tremors, bradykinesia (slow movement), and musculoskeletal rigidity are only some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which is characterised by progressive damage to several regions of the brain.
Fox disclosed many injuries from falls, including fractures to his face and other body parts, as well as a benign tumour on his spine. Despite the challenges, he stressed, “You don’t die from Parkinson’s, you die with it…”
It wears you down in ways you may not even recognise at first. I really doubt that I’ll make it to age 80.
Fox acknowledged the significant difficulties he and others facing cancer face and expressed gratitude for the special set of skills that helped him overcome them.
He is convinced that gratitude and optimism go hand in hand, noting that “finding something to be thankful for gives you a sense of anticipation and empowers you to forge ahead.”
Fox’s dedication to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease led him to launch the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. This fundraising effort has successfully amassed almost $1.75 billion, which will be used to fund critically important scientific studies.
The charity funded cutting-edge research that may have identified a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease. Fox, upon hearing the news of this discovery in April, said emphatically, “This changes everything.
The path forward is clear to us now. Within the next five years, we will be able to identify weaknesses and develop effective countermeasures.
When things go rough, Fox knows he can always count on the love and encouragement of his wife, Tracy Pollan, and their four kids. The beloved actor has decided to retire in 2020 after a long and fruitful career.
Meanwhile, we appreciate all of his hard work. Fox was honoured at the Governors Awards in November with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, a prestigious award for selfless service to others.
To further demonstrate his unwavering commitment to raising Parkinson’s disease awareness, he has volunteered to act as the producer of a future documentary on Apple TV+.
Michael J. Fox’s indomitable will to live serves as an inspiration to the many others who struggle with Parkinson’s disease. His legacy will live forever as proof that the human spirit can triumph against adversity, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry and beyond.
Like the great character he portrayed on television, Michael J. Fox was an inspiration for his ability to bounce back from adversity and seize every chance that comes our way.
