Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's Disease

Who could ever ignore a sports figure that shaped the term "boxing" into a whole new level? A three-time world heavyweight champion, the recipient of numerous humanitarian citations, a moslem believer and the ever animated persona, Muhammad Ali, aka Cassius Clay is now 65 years old, can barely move or talk and suffering from a chronic and degenerative Parkinson's Disease.


All About Ali and Parkinson's Disease

Just seven years after his historic fight nicknamed Thrilla in Manila in 1975, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed of Parkinson's Disease by his neurologist. Its a disease that attacks neurotransmitters of the central nervous system that is responsible for movement, balance and coordination of body movements. Once diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, patients like Muhammad Ali will have it for life. There is no cure for the disease because once a neuron is damaged, it can never regenerate like the human skin for instance. It progresses from slow body movements or bradykinesia, slurred speech and uncontrollable tremors. Furthermore, Parkinson's Disease also manifests mood alteration symptoms such as anxiety or depression. A patient's caregiver would have to deal with these problems patiently and rigorously to help increase the patient's self-esteem which technically speaking, is the most important thing to remember. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's wife has just started a campaign in educating caregivers of patients with Parkinson's Disease. You can find more about it in the campaign website FightForMore.

Where is Muhammad Ali now?

He is now under the direct care of his fourth wife, lonnie, and he says that each day is a challenge that is making him ever determined to win it. Talk about determination, he is none other than the epitome of every sense of the word. As recently as January this year, they moved to Jefferson county where they purchased a home for a little more than a million dollars. He is now devoting his time for humanitarian efforts and propagating islam faith.

Photos taken from reuters.