Michael J. Fox has consistently surpassed expectations throughout his career, particularly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29.
Now 64, the Back to the Future actor continues to exhibit the same tenacity and humor that propelled him to fame, though he recently made a poignant revelation.
In recent times, Fox has co-authored a memoir titled Future Boy, which delves into the film that changed his life. He has also appeared on Apple TV’s Shrinking with Harrison Ford and has remained a staunch advocate for Parkinson’s research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised in excess of $2 billion.
Earlier this year, Fox’s relentless work to promote understanding of the disease was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Fox’s life in the public eye has long been characterized by his optimism and perseverance.
He recently told People: “I wake up and get the message of what the day is gonna be like, and I try to adjust to it.”
He added: “I keep getting new challenges physically, and I get through it. I roll around in a wheelchair a lot, and it took some getting used to.”
Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s over thirty years ago, Fox has confessed that he no longer walks regularly due to the risk of significant injury. Years of executing high-energy stunts in movies — from flipping over co-stars to sliding across car hoods — have taken a lasting toll on his body.
Fox revealed to the Sunday Times: “And that’s [the point] where I break stuff, it’s absolutely incredible the stuff I broke. In a three-year period I broke my elbow, I broke my hand, I got a big infection in my hand and I almost lost my finger.”
The physical demands have necessitated a slower pace for Fox.
He explained: “I take it easy now, I don’t walk that much anymore. I can walk but it’s not pretty and it’s a bit dangerous.”
Despite these setbacks, Fox remains committed to focusing on what he can still accomplish.
He stated, “I see other people’s work, and it makes me think that I might be able to find something that’s for me as an actor and as a writer….And as a parent, husband and friend, I have a lot left to do.”
According to the NHS, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination. The primary symptoms include tremor (involuntary shaking), muscle stiffness, and slowness of movement. Many individuals also experience balance issues, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and difficulties with memory or concentration.
Additional symptoms may include loss of smell, swallowing difficulties, constipation, and dizziness. The severity and progression of these symptoms differ from person to person, typically developing slowly over several years.