Michael J Fox has admitted that recent times have been a ‘struggle’ for him as he battles not only Parkinson’s disease, but also broken bones in several parts of his body and the loss of his mother.
The 61-year-old actor, known for his positive outlook and inspiring attitude to life, has admitted that even his commitment to positivity has been shaken of late.
The Back to the Future star was diagnosed with the disease back in 1991, but the condition is known to progress over time, and Fox admits things have got ‘worse’ over the last year.
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Speaking to People magazine, the star said: "It got worse, I broke my cheek, then my hand, then my shoulder, had a replacement shoulder put in and broke my (right) arm, then I broke my elbow.”
He then added: "I'm 61 years old, and I'm feeling it a little bit more."
Parkinson’s works in such a way that parts of the brain become continually more damaged, with the three main manifestations of the disease being physical tremors, stiff muscles, and slow movement.
Fox has been suffering with the illness for a long time, but managed to walk unaided onto the stage at a recent Back to the Future reunion where he enjoyed a touching moment with Christopher Lloyd, who starred alongside him in the hugely popular film series.
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However, times have been so tough lately that Fox admitted to having lost some of his usual upbeat demeanour.
"I was never really a cranky guy, but I got very cranky and short with people,” he explained.
"I try to nip it in the bud. I always think of these aides who work with me.
"And I often say to them, 'whatever I say, just imagine I said 'please' at the beginning and 'thank you' at the end.
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“Just take a second and absorb that I might have said that if I was more myself, but I didn't, so I apologise'”.
Fox retired from acting back in 2020, and admits that he’s now ‘coming through’ the things that have plagued him in recent times.
"I'm just getting to where I'm walking steadily again” he said.
“I think it's cool to walk by myself. It is. It's fantastic.”
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Now, he just has to not fall down when walking, whether that means using a walker, wheelchair, a walking stick or ‘a guy with a belt around my waist holding onto it’.
What’s more, Fox recently lost his ‘spectacular’ mother Phyllis, who died at the age of 92.
On his struggles, he reflected: "It's been a struggle, but I'm happy.
"I say that because I hope on some level people can find happiness in spite of what they're going through."
Featured Image Credit: Erik Pendzich/Alamy Stock Photo/NBCTopics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Health