Michael J. Fox, the beloved actor known for his iconic role in “Back to the Future,” has shown incredible strength and perseverance in his battle against Parkinson’s disease. Since receiving his diagnosis in the early 1990s, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness and supporting research for this debilitating condition.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Fox has always maintained a positive outlook while candidly discussing the impact Parkinson’s has had on his health and well-being. In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the 61-year-old actor opened up about his struggles and expressed that living with the disease is becoming increasingly difficult.
“I’m not gonna lie. It’s gettin’ hard, it’s gettin’ harder. It’s gettin’ tougher,” Fox shared with anchor Jane Pauley. “But, but, that’s, that’s the way it is. I mean, you know, who do I see about that?”
Recently, Fox underwent spinal surgery to remove a tumor on his spine. Although the procedure wasn’t serious, it affected his mobility, causing him to stumble and sustain several injuries. Despite these setbacks, he remains resilient.
“You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s,” Fox asserted. “I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it… I’m not gonna be 80. I’m not gonna be 80.”
Fox received his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1991 when he noticed a tremor in his pinkie finger. His ongoing battle with the disorder is now being highlighted in his new documentary, “Still,” which chronicles his life over the past three decades.
In the film, he admits, “I’m in intense pain. Each tremor is like a seismic jolt.” During an interview, Fox further explained, “It’s not so much pain from the movement, but from the not moving. It’s when you freeze, and in that freezing, that not-movement becomes infused with all this energy and it becomes this burning, impending thing that never happens.”
Fox’s resilience is truly inspiring. Despite the constant pain and challenges he navigates, he refuses to let it define him. He has broken bones due to falls caused by Parkinson’s, but he acknowledges that nobody else truly understands the magnitude of his experience.
“Yes, it hurts a lot,” he shared. “But what you learn is that nobody gives a s—. It’s just life. You suck it up and you move on. And there might be a story to tell in it. But only that. There’s no chit that you can present to a window for a refund.”
In 2021, due to his declining health, Fox announced his retirement from acting. Despite the difficulties he faces, he remains optimistic and committed to celebrating the joys in his life rather than dwelling on the hardships.
“The pain speaks for itself,” Fox expresses. “You either tolerate it or you don’t. And I’m not going anywhere.”
It is hard not to be moved by Michael J. Fox’s unwavering determination in the face of such adversity. He serves as an inspiration for us all, showing us the power of resilience and the importance of finding joy even during the most challenging times. Let us all come together in wishing Michael J. Fox the very best in his journey ahead.
