animated title character in the Stuart Little films.
In the middle of all of that success... with money, fame, Emmy Awards and Golden
Globes pouring in... Michael J. Fox learned that he had Parkinson’s. Within a few
years, the disease was too severe for him to be able to hide the symptoms, and his high-
flying career crashed down to earth.
While many people would have given in to anger or despair, Fox focused on the positive
impact on his life, describing his condition as a “gift” - an opportunity, not a life
sentence.
He quit drinking, got more involved with his family, and became a powerful advocate
and fundraiser for Parkinson’s research. He formed a foundation to support research and
fought against politicians who want to restrict it. Now the whole focus of his life is
finding a cure for Parkinson’s.
Fox has told interviewers that his life has much more meaning and purpose now, and that
he treasures every day. For now, Parkinson’s remains incurable, but so does the endless
optimism of Michael J. Fox.
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