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back to the future star Michael J. Fox has been a household name for decades. He hollywood icon has won numerous accolades for his on-screen performances and dedication to raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease. Michael was diagnosed with the disease. more than three decades ago and founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. While continuing to advocate for those suffering from the disease, Michael has spoken many times about his battle.
In May 2023, the proud father of four released his film. Stilla documentary about his life and condition. He recalled the first time he noticed his symptoms in 1990. “I woke up with a fierce hangover,” Michael shared. “I placed my left hand on the bridge of my nose to block the sunlight. A moth’s wing brushed against my right cheek. I put my hand in front of my face so I could wave the beast across the room with my finger. That’s what I noticed on my pinky, self-animated. For God’s sake, it’s just your damn finger. But it wasn’t mine. It was someone else’s.” And he concluded: “The tremor was a message from the future.”
Michael J. Fox diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Michael was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, according to his organization website. “I was in my twenties. How could I have this old person’s illness?” Michael wondered in his 2023 documentary. “Without any obvious sign, my left hand was starting to shake uncontrollably. I asked my internist to prescribe me medication. Therapeutic value and comfort were not the reasons I took these pills. There was only one reason: to hide.”
It wouldn’t be until 1998 that the Oscar winner would be ready to announce his diagnosis to the world. “Day after day, for hours and hours, I never thought twice about sharing my diagnosis with anyone,” she admitted. “I had work to do.” He was just 29 years old when he finally shared the news, meaning he has been living with Parkinson’s for more than half his life. “The stress of doing a weekly program [Spin City] in front of an audience was exacerbating my symptoms,” Michael shared in his Still documentary. “My entire left arm was shaking hard enough to shake my entire body. Still, no one outside my family knew.”
However, once he could no longer hide his trembling hand, he had to come clean and everything turned out better than he expected. “I was hoping they would accept me,” he said. “I had this huge reaction. After all those years of hiding my symptoms, I was able to let them go. I realized that to do anything, I was just going to be myself. I was still me. Some people would see the news of my illness as an end, but I was starting to feel like it was actually a beginning.” Since revealing to the world that he had the condition, he has been very public about his advocacy work for the disease, including starting the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000.
In 2022, Michael spoke about the time he told his wife: Tracy Pollanabout his diagnosis during an interview with CBS Sunday mornings. “We were newly married when I was diagnosed,” she explained at the time. “We’ve been married for 32 years, I was diagnosed 30 years ago. Very early in the marriage, she was given up on this.” She noted that the “last time” they cried about her diagnosis was the first time she told them more than three decades ago. Since then, they have welcomed four children: Sam Michael, Frances Schuyler, Kathleen Aquinnahand Esmé Annabelle.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that can cause “involuntary or uncontrollable movements, such as tremors, rigidity, and difficulty with balance and coordination,” according to the National Institute on Aging. The condition progresses slowly and can often make it difficult for a person to talk and walk. The same organization points out that, although the reason is unknown, Parkinson’s often affects men more than women. Other symptoms of the disease include “behavioral changes, sleeping problems, depression, memory difficulties and fatigue.”
Diagnosis is usually achieved through a neurological examination, as no blood or laboratory tests can diagnose non-genetic cases of Parkinson’s. There are medications used to treat the condition, however, there is no known cure for the condition. Other alternatives to medicine include surgery and therapies.
How long has Michael J. Fox been sick?
As mentioned above, Michael has been battling Parkinson’s since he was 29 years old. He was recently awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 13th Annual Governors Awards 2023. During his acceptance speech (look here), Michael shed light on his illness and expressed his gratitude towards those battling the same condition.
“I am so grateful to all of these people and thousands more who will make this world without Parkinson’s a reality. I’m not sure I communicate it well, but it is humbling in the most profound way to be here and accept their kindness and admiration, when really the effort is being driven by others who deserve this attention,” he said at the time. “I am grateful to them and to you because my optimism is fueled by my gratitude. And with gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
Despite being diagnosed in 1991, Michael did not speak publicly about the disease until seven years later. He talked about how he used to hide his Parkinson’s in a May 18, 2023 interview on The view. “It took me a while to figure it out, and it was a lot to handle. My left hand was my really dominant side from the beginning. [It] He shook a lot. So if you look at everything I did from 1991 onwards, I had something in my left hand. I decided that was it. So I told Barbara Walters and People Magazine”, said.
How is Michael J. Fox doing today?
Michael has made multiple public appearances in recent years, including at a pre-recorded meeting at The last show with Stephen Colbert in 2025. Although he avoided talking about his current status, he previously told Statistical news on April 12, 2023. “It’s been a terrible year,” before adding that he was “feeling better,” after new research funded by his foundation brought celebratory news. The news that could change things for many was published in Lancet Neurology, discovered that earlier intervention with Parkinson’s can now be performed as a result of “examination of the cerebrospinal fluid of living patients,” according to People.
“Here’s the thing,” Michael said. Statistical news. “This is he great reward. This is the big trophy.” With new science, the disease could possibly be discovered many years earlier. “Everything has changed. It can be known and treated from the beginning. “It’s huge,” he joked. And in October 2022, Michael said People who also suffered numerous bone fractures in the midst of his illness. “Right now I’m going through the moment where my last injuries are healing; my arm feels good. Life is interesting. It offers you these things,” he recalled at the time. “It got worse,” he continued. “I broke my cheek, then my hand, then my shoulder, they put a replacement shoulder on me and I broke [right] arm, then I broke my elbow. I am 61 years old and I feel it a little more.”
Michael also talked about how he feels now in an interview with CBS on Sunday morning, which aired on April 30, 2023. “You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die from Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking about your mortality,” he said. “I’m not going to be 80. I’m not going to be 80.”
While speaking about his condition, Michael told CBS that “every day it gets harder,” as he explained how his condition has progressed. He explained that the disease has led him to fracture different bones and other health problems. “I had spinal surgery. I had a tumor on my spine. It was benign, but it prevented me from walking,” he said. “I broke this arm. I broke this arm. I broke this elbow. I broke my face. I broke my hand falling, which is a big cause of death in Parkinson’s.”
In it Still In the documentary, Michael had a positive view of his situation, but he was also realistic. “He [way I walk] It really scares people,” he shared. “Do with it what you want. If you pity me, it will never affect me. I’m pathetic, I’m going through shit. But I’m a tough son of a bitch. I’m a cockroach. “You can’t kill a cockroach.”
Michael called his battle with Parkinson’s a “gift,” but clarified his comments at his gala Something curious happened on the path to curing Parkinson’s on November 11, 2023. eastern time that his diagnosis changed his perspective. “It really takes all those things out of your life and you start to see things that are important, like your family, your health, your career, your obligation and your opportunity to serve,” he told the outlet. “It’s a tremendous gift in that sense.”
