Following my post about Muhammad Ali, I wanted to follow it up with Michael J Fox because somehow, i think Parkinson's Disease likes to invade the rich and famous.

I personally knew Michael J Fox from Back to the future trilogy. I just loved every minute of it and i wouldnt mind watching the 3 movies again if i come across the opportunity. For those who dont know Micheal J Fox, ill be glad to give you a little glimpse about him.

He is a canadian/american film and television actor who is most famous for his roles as Marty McFly from the Back To The Future Trilogy (1985-1990); Alex Keaton from Family Ties (1982-1989), for which he won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award ; and Mike Flaherty from Spin CIty (1996-2000), for which he won an Emmy, three Golden Globes, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1991, and disclosed his condition to the public in 1998. As the symptoms of his disease worsened, he retired from full-time acting in 2000.

Watch Michael J Fox with his support to Stem Cell Research and while displaying the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. He just proves to everyone that his disease is not a hindrance to anything. Anything at all!




What's my take about Michael's illness? I really think this guy is brave and determined. Why? He never let Parkinson's Disease destroy his career. He starred in numerous films and series after his diagnosis in 1991 and earned bigtime awards and recognitions. He even made a book about his experiences with Parkinson's entitled The Lucky Man and since it was released, it was given international recognition. He also founded the Michael J Fox Foundation which is aimed at advancing stem cell research which scientists believe would eliminate Parkinson's Disease. Visit the website here.

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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.

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