Michael J. Fox struggles to walk due to Parkinson’s Disease—trolls attack him online until son rescues him
Famous actor Michael J. Fox, known for his role as Marty McFly, has been open about his struggles with Parkinson’s Disease in recent years.
The actor was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 29, but decided to incorporate it into his acting roles rather than give up his craft. For example, he played a doctor with obsessive-compulsive disorder on House and a manipulative lawyer with a neurological condition on The Good Wife.
View this post on Instagram
However, as Fox turns 60, he admits that memorizing lines has become increasingly difficult for him, making acting more challenging.
“When I did the spinoff from The Good Wife, which is The Good Fight, I couldn’t remember the lines. I just had this blank, I couldn’t remember the lines,” he recently said on the Working It Out podcast.
In the past, he could memorize dialogue effortlessly, but now it’s almost impossible. The actor reflected on how he used to know lines instantly, even for complex roles that required him to remember 70 pages of dialogue. However, he no longer accepts roles that require him to memorize too many lines since he cannot recall even five pages of dialogue. Despite the difficulties, he has come to terms with his situation and accepts that there isn’t much he can do about it.
View this post on Instagram
Michael J. Fox, who has been open about his battle with Parkinson’s disease, recently revealed that he also had issues with his spinal cord. Doctors had reassured him that the problem was not life-threatening but warned him that it would affect his life if left untreated.
Despite this, Fox began falling down frequently and realized that he needed to have surgery. The actor said that he had been trying to differentiate between the symptoms of Parkinson’s and his spinal cord issues, but it had become clear that surgery was necessary to address the problem.
After having spinal cord surgery and undergoing rigorous physical therapy, Fox was asked to try his hand at acting. However, his troubles persisted as he suffered a severe arm injury in August of last year. The incident occurred when he misstepped while walking to the kitchen for breakfast. The injury was significant, resulting in 19 pins and a plate being inserted into his arm. Fox found the experience to be a major setback after his progress with physical therapy.
View this post on Instagram
The actor was asked how he coped with a setback and he responded that he doesn’t believe in things happening “for a reason.” He thinks that unexpected events can provide valuable learning experiences. In his case, he reflected on his optimistic expectations of himself and how he had not given his failures equal weight.
Since his diagnosis, he has been focusing on writing and recently released his fourth memoir, No Time Like the Future. He shared that he turned to writing because his other hobbies, such as playing guitar and sketching, were not as enjoyable as they used to be, and acting was becoming more challenging.
Michael J. Fox, the actor known for his roles in the “Back to the Future” franchise and “Spin City,” has been living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. Despite the challenges he faces, Fox remains optimistic and has even founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has raised over $1 billion.
View this post on Instagram
He also recently made headlines for reuniting with his “Back to the Future” co-star Christopher Lloyd at an event where they discussed the making of the iconic film.
During a panel at New York Comic Con (NYCC), actor Michael J. Fox briefly talked about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Fox was initially concerned about accepting a role due to his commitment to Family Ties, but he accepted it anyway. Fox and Christopher Lloyd had chemistry from the first scene of the Back to the Future movies, and the chemistry remained throughout the trilogy.
Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991 and went public about in 1998. He stated during the panel that Parkinson’s is a gift and that he wouldn’t change it for anything.
View this post on Instagram
Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, appeared at the New York Comic Con and struggled to walk on stage due to his condition. Despite this, fans cheered him on and were thrilled to see him in public again. While Fox has developed a thick skin over the years, he sometimes responds to rude comments online.
One time, he asked his son Sam for help, who advised him to “Do SMH.” Fox didn’t know what it meant, but trusted his son, and used the phrase in his response. The troll found it hilarious and quickly apologized for their mean comment. Fox is known for his optimism and compassion, but even he has limits when it comes to rude comments, and he’s grateful for his son’s help in handling them.
It’s undeniable that Michael J. Fox is an incredibly inspirational figure. We hope he is successful in both his fight against Parkinson’s Disease and his mission to increase awareness about it.
