Michael J. Fox, a Parkinson’s patient, described the preceding year as a “battle” because of his numerous damaged bones.
The Hollywood star also discussed how his mother’s death affected him, but he remains positive.
The 61-year-old Back to the Future star, who was diagnosed with the condition in 1991, has since raised funds and awareness for research into the disease.
In a new interview with People magazine, Fox discussed how his health troubles “worsened” over the last year and how his recovery is progressing.
“I fractured my cheek, then my hand, then my shoulder, had a replacement shoulder put in, shattered my (right) arm, then I broke my elbow,” he told the US outlet.
“I’m 61 years old, and I’m feeling it a little more,” he added.
Parkinson’s disease, according to the NHS website, is a condition in which parts of the brain gradually degenerate over time.
The three basic symptoms of the condition are tremors, delayed movement, and tight and inflexible muscles. Tremors are involuntary movements of certain bodily parts.
Fox’s movement is affected by the illness, but many people who know him believe that this does not necessarily signify that the illness is progressing faster.
“I was never a grumpy man, but I was impatient and short with people,” the actor admitted, revealing that a series of diseases had changed his normally cheery demeanor.
“I try to put a stop to it before it starts. I never forget about the people I work with.”
And I frequently remind them, “Imagine I said ‘please’ at the start of everything I say, and ‘thank you’ at the end.” Just a moment to think that if I had been more sincere, I might have said that, for which I apologize.”
Following his retirement in 2020, the former actor stated that he is now “coming through” as the last of his wounds heal.
“I’m just starting to walk steadily again. I enjoy strolling by myself. It’s incredible,” he added.
His goal at this point is to prevent falling over while using a walker, wheelchair, cane, or “a person with a belt around my waist hanging onto it.”
He achieved this goal earlier this month when he appeared on stage with his Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd, 84, in front of a cheering crowd of fans at New York Comic-Con.
Fox also mentioned the late Phyllis Fox, who died in September at the age of 92.
He described her as “wonderful,” saying that he now values her toughness as a military spouse who raised Fox and his four siblings while his father, William, was in the Canadian military.
“I’m happy,” he said after this terrible moment. ” It’s been difficult, but I’m getting there.”
“I say it because I believe that people can find pleasure despite their circumstances to some degree.”
The former actor, who later married actress Tracy Pollan and had four children with her, has said that they had to learn to adapt their marriage to accommodate his sickness, but that they always “assume the best” about each other.
Fox launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, according to People magazine, and it has raised more than $1.5 billion for research funding.
On November 19, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar that recognizes remarkable charitable efforts.
He is currently working on a documentary for Apple+ that will, in his words, analyze him and his “different perspectives on my life.”
