Michael J. Fox's Journey with Parkinson's Disease
There’s something truly inspiring about a person who refuses to let life’s challenges slow them down. Take Michael J. Fox, for instance. When he was just 29 years old, he received a diagnosis that would change his life forever: Parkinson’s disease. At first, like anyone would, he was in disbelief. “Honestly, my first reaction was, ‘You’ve made a mistake — you’re not aware of who I am,’” Michael recalls. “I just thought, ‘This is preposterous that this is happening to me.’ I got this diagnosis, and it freaked me out, and I ran from it.”
Fast forward to today, and Michael, now 57 years old, is living proof that a diagnosis doesn’t have to define your life. “Aside from the fact that he loves acting, he wants to show the world you don’t have to give up your life’s work because you have Parkinson’s or be ashamed of it,” a source exclusively told Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, currently available on newsstands.
Embracing the Present Moment
Michael’s approach to life has evolved significantly over the years. He’s learned to focus on the present, rather than worrying too much about the future. “It’s OK to understand where I am today, but I don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about where I’ll be tomorrow,” he explains. “I do the things I need to do — exercise, manage my meds correctly, and get the correct amount of rest — but I do them so today is good, not necessarily because tomorrow will be better.”
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This mindset wasn’t always his default, though. In the early days after his diagnosis, Michael turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. “I responded by drinking too much. I drank to obliterate it, to make it go away,” he admits. Unfortunately, this behavior created tension in his marriage, which had always been strong. Thankfully, Michael’s wife, Tracy Pollan, stood by him through those tough times. “My wife is just an amazing person,” Michael shares. “I credit her with a lot of my ability to deal with this — and also shutting down my early attempts to deal with it in a non-productive way by drinking or getting angry.”
Support from Family
Michael’s four children have been incredibly supportive throughout his journey. “If I were to use one word to describe my kids, it’s ‘kind,’” Michael says. “They take it in — it’s just natural. I don’t know how we got so lucky that they turned out this way, but they apply that kindness to everything they do.” He adds, “They didn’t get anxiety from [my disease]. They got peace from it, and it’s kept them honest. They pour orange juice for me. It’s great. You understand there’s bigger stuff going on than just yourself.”
Michael’s mission to inspire others with Parkinson’s disease has become a significant part of his life. “Somebody said, ‘Someday, there’s going to be a cure for Parkinson’s, and it’s gonna be because of you.’ It was the first time that really struck me. If that happens, it’s much more special than any movie or TV show.”
For more on Michael J. Fox, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news!
