Michael J. Fox, known for his iconic role as Marty McFly in “Back to the Future,” has faced Parkinson’s disease since the 1990s. In a recent interview, he described Parkinson’s as a relentless challenge, saying, “Having Parkinson’s stinks… Every day you struggle more and more, but that’s just the way things are.” The disease causes symptoms like tremors, slow movement, and stiff muscles.
Despite his ongoing battle, Fox remains an unwavering advocate for Parkinson’s research. He established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, raising over $1.75 billion for research and contributing to a groundbreaking study that identified a Parkinson’s biomarker.
Recently, Fox received a lifetime achievement award, not for his struggle against Parkinson’s but for his work in movies. At the Spring Moving Image Awards in New York City, he was joined by his wife, Tracy Pollan, and twin daughters, Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances. During the event, Fox expressed his gratitude and hope, stating, “Optimism is sustainable when practiced with gratitude.”
While he faces numerous health challenges and has experienced injuries from falls, Michael J. Fox continues to make a lasting impact in the fight against Parkinson’s, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment for future generations.