Michael J. Fox continues to navigate new health challenges amid his 30-yearbattle with Parkinson’s disease.
the Back to the Future star told people magazine that over the last year,”I broke my cheek, then my hand, then my shoulder, had a replacement shoulderput in and broke my [right] arm, then I broke my elbow. I’m 61 years old, andI’m feeling it a little bit more.”
Fox admitted, “It got worse,” from where he was in 2020 — and that period wasno picnic. At the time, in addition to the challenges he faces with theneurodegenerative disorder — including tremors, stiffness, cognitive issuesand moodiness — he had a risky surgery to remove a benign tumor on his spinalcord. His recovery included learning to walk again. As he was getting back onhis feet, he fell and fractured his arm, necessitating another surgery toinsert 19 pins and a plate.
“I’m coming through where the last of my injuries are healing up; my arm isfeeling good,” the Family Ties and Spin City alum said of his currentstatus recovering from injuries on top of injuries. “Life is interesting. Itdeals you these things.”
Fox, who has raised more than $1.5 billion for Parkinson’s research throughhis Michael J. Fox Foundation, said that his “whole mission” now is: ” Don ‘tfall down. So whatever works to not fall down, whether it’s a walker or awheelchair, a cane, a guy with a belt around my waist holding onto it — I useall those tools.” He was proudly able to walk unassisted across a stage forhis recent reunion with Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd earlierthis month. He said, “I’m just getting to where I’m walking steadily again.”
The article notes that while Parkinson’s disease, which Fox was diagnosed within 1991, affects his movement, his new injuries don’t necessarily mean hisdisease is progressing any faster. It’s been bad luck in some cases — forinstance, he got an infection after surgery for his broken hand. Then, notbeing able to use his hand led to falls. It’s been a journey — and one thathas rocked his optimism.
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“I was never really a cranky guy, but I got very cranky and short withpeople,” Fox said. “I try to nip it in the bud. I always think of these aideswho work with me. And I often say to them, ‘Whatever I say, just imagine Isaid “please” at the beginning and “thank you” at the end. Just take a secondand absorb that I might have said that if I was more myself, but I didn’t, soI apologize.'”
He said it’s been challenging for his wife of 34 years, Tracy Pollan.
“It took me a while to get that it wasn’t just about me,” he said. “If I breakmy arm, I’m dealing with my broken arm. But if you’re the person who liveswith and loves and supports the person with the broken arm, you’ve got to doeverything.”
But his optimism still shines through despite his challenges.
“It’s been a struggle, but I’m happy,” he said. “I say that because I hope onsome level people can find happiness in spite of what they’re going through.”
Fox has been featured on the cover of the magazine’s Kindness issue. Pollan,with whom he shares four children, told the outlet that even during his mostdifficult days, Fox is “one of the most kind people I’ve ever met.”
Fox officially retired in 2020, saying not being able to speak reliably was agame-breaker. The Good Wife actor said the decision came after he couldn’tremember his lines while shooting on the set of Designated Survivor starringKiefer Sutherland.
“I couldn’t focus on a line,” he said. “I didn’t beat myself up. I couldn’t doit, so I didn’t do it anymore.”
That said, you’ll continue to see him. He is working on an AppleTV+documentary due in 2023 about his life. He’ll also receive the Jean HersholtHumanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar recognizing outstanding philanthropicefforts, at the Governors Awards on Nov. 19.