Michael J. Fox is opening up about his health in a new interview with AARP magazine. The famed actor, best known for his role as Marty Mcfly in the cult classic Back to the Future films made a name for himself in the '80s. At just thirty years old, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's' disease and has been a celebrity spokesperson for the illness for decades now.
In the new interview, the 60-year-old gives fans a rare glimpse into his health.
"I’m kind of a freak. It’s weird that I’ve done as well as I have for as long as I have," he continued.
"People often think of Parkinson’s as a visual thing, but the visuals of it are nothing."
Michael's wife Tracy Pollan chimed into the interview as well, insisting that her husband's attitude is part of his defence against the increasingly difficult health challenges he's facing.
That optimism helps the retired actor face the difficult realization that Parkinson's will most likely not be cured in his lifetime.
"I’m really blunt with people about cures. When they ask me if I will be relieved of Parkinson’s in my lifetime, I say, 'I’m 60 years old, and science is hard. So, no.'"
"Have an active life and do not let yourself get isolated and marginalized. You can live with it... You don’t die of Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s, because once you have it, you have it for life — until we can remedy that, and we’re working hard at it. So, to live with it, you need to exercise and be in shape and to eat well. If you can’t drive, find a way to get around. Maintain friendships."
That's great advice for us all to live by, MJF!
h/t: AARP
