Michael J. Fox, famous for his role in “Back to the Future,” has been battling Parkinson’s disease since the 1990s. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he called Parkinson’s a “gift that keeps on taking.” Despite his health challenges, he remains optimistic.

Fox, now 61, is a passionate advocate for Parkinson’s research and treatment. He founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, raising over $1.75 billion for research. The foundation recently supported a study that identified a Parkinson’s biomarker, a significant breakthrough.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that damages the brain, leading to symptoms like tremors, slow movement, and stiff muscles. Fox has faced multiple injuries from falls, but he remains determined. He said, “I recognize how challenging it is, but optimism is sustainable when practiced with gratitude.”

Despite the difficulties, Fox continues his philanthropic work and will soon produce an Apple TV+ documentary. His legacy as an actor and advocate for Parkinson’s research endures.