Michael J Fox, the 62-year-old ‘Back to the Future’ star, fighting Parkinson’s for over 30 years, remains resolute in maintaining a positive outlook, as evident in his interviews discussing his journey with the disease.
We’ve compiled the actor’s thoughts on living with Parkinson’s disease and how it has altered his perspective on life, featured in the cover story of Town & Country’s Philanthropy issue and discussed in an interview aired on CBS Sunday Morning.
The former Hollywood actor and activist received a diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease a year after the release of Back to the Future Part III in 1990.
Fox said in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning: “It sucks, having Parkinson’s … It’s getting tougher, it’s getting harder, every day you suffer, but that’s the way it is.”
Fox mentioned a series of injuries resulting from falls, such as fractures in facial bones and other parts of his body, as well as a noncancerous tumour on his spine. He added: “All these subtle ways that get you, you don’t die from Parkinson’s, you die with (the condition). I’m not going to be 80. I won’t be 80.”
In addition to sharing insights into his perspective on life, Fox stated in an interview with a media outlet, ‘I’ve said Parkinson’s is a gift,’ He added, It’s the gift that keeps on taking. Still, it has changed my life in so many positive ways.’ One manifestation of this is the establishment of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which funds research to develop treatments for those living with Parkinson’s disease.”
According to him: “I recognise how hard this is for people and how hard it is for me, but I have a certain set of skills that allow me to deal with this stuff, and I realise, with gratitude, optimism is sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for, then you find something to look forward to and carry on.”
Nevertheless, the actor describes himself as a “tough son of a b*tch” and isn’t afraid of his health battle — or even death.
“At some point, I’ll exhaust my strength,” Fox remarked. “One day, I might decide, ‘It’s not happening. I’m not facing it today.’ If that time comes, I’ll accept it. At 62, while premature, passing away tomorrow wouldn’t be unprecedented. So, no, it’s not something I dread.”
Expressing happiness in doing what he can, Fox stated to PEOPLE, “If you told me when I was 29 when they just diagnosed it, that at 61 I’d still be going at it with a film to promote, that life would be so full, I would never have guessed it,”
The actor, who has four children with his wife Tracy Pollan, retired in 2020. At the Governors Awards in November, he was honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar recognising philanthropic efforts. A documentary titled “Still: A Michael J Fox Film” was released on Apple TV+, showcasing his life.
