Michael J. Fox says that he has broken several bones in recent years, one of which indirect effects of his Parkinson’s disease.
Fox pointed to every bone that has been broken in recent years in an interview with Variety.
“I broke this shoulder, I replaced it. I broke this elbow. I broke this hand. I had an infection that almost cost me this finger. I broke my face. I broke my humerus,» Fox said. «And that sucked.»
Fox, 61, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when he was 29, and said he now has more medical support than before.
“I have helpers around me most of the time in case I fall, and it’s hard to deal with that lack of privacy,” she said.
Fox said his health problems in recent years led to a dark time, similar to when he was first diagnosed. He said it was the people closest to him who could help: «My family took me out.»
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes involuntary and uncontrollable movements, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms start gradually and can eventually affect the ability to walk and talk, according to the NIH.
The four main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement and balance problems, which can lead to falls, according to the NIH.
Fox officially retired from acting in 2020 because he had trouble remembering his lines, Variety reported, but the «Back to the Future» actor was recognized in November. with an honorary Oscar for his work advocating for Parkinson’s disease.
«I’ve won more awards and had more nominations since announcing my diagnosis,» Fox said. «People may feel bad for me, but I’d rather see it as recognition for continuing to have a legitimate career.»
fox too starred in a documentary about his rise to Hollywood stardom and diagnosis in the 1991 «Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,» which premiered Friday on Apple TV+.
In the documentary, he discusses his wife Tracy Pollan’s reaction to his diagnosis. “’In sickness and in health,’ I remember her whispering,” she said. «Nobody outside of my family knew about it.»
Fox and Pollan have been married since July 1988 and have four children: Sam, 33, Aquinnah, 28, Schuyler, 28, and Esmé, 21. Fox said he remains optimistic about his future and there is reason to be grateful for his life.
“I’m still happy to join the day and be a part of things,” he said. “I just enjoy the little math problems of existence. I love waking up and figuring those things out and at the same time being with my family. My problem is that I fall. I trip over things and fall and break things. And that’s part of having this. But I hope and feel that tomorrow I won’t break so many bones.»
Still, Fox balked at people calling him a hero: «It’s a nice way for people to let me know they’re touched by my acceptance of things and the way I’ve tried to make a difference.»
“But no matter how much I sit here and talk to you about how I accepted it philosophically and took its weight, Parkinson’s is still kicking my ass. I will not win in this. I will lose,” Fox added. “But, there is a lot to be gained from losing.”