Even though Michael J. Fox has been dealing with Parkinson’s disease-related consequences for a long time, he has shown incredible defiance in the face of overwhelming hardship. Since his initial diagnosis in the early 1990s, the now-retired actor has dedicated himself to advancing research and awareness, positioning himself as the face of the crippling illness.

The Back to the Future actor has recently opened up about his battle with the illness, acknowledging that his health is deteriorating and asserting that he doesn’t think he will live to be 80 years old.

The 61 has never been one to downplay the toll that having Parkinson’s disease has imposed on his health and wellness, even if he has always expressed optimism about the condition.

Fox said that having Parkinson’s disease was “getting tougher” in a recent interview when talking about his impending death. “I won’t lie. The going gets tougher and tougher. It’s getting harder,” Fox said to Jane Pauley, anchor of CBS Sunday Morning.

“Every day gets harder. However, that’s just the way things are. You know, who should I talk to about that? He also mentioned that a tumour on his spine necessitated recent spinal surgery.

Although it was not harmful, it hindered his gait and caused injuries from falls: “[I] broke this arm, and I broke this arm, and I broke this elbow.” My face was broken. My hand broke,” Fox said to Pauley. Parkinson’s disease does not kill you. With Parkinson’s, you die,” Fox said in closing. “I’ve been considering how mortal it is. I won’t live to be 80. I won’t live to be eighty.

In the lead-up to the release of his new documentary, Still, which chronicles the actor’s life over the past three decades, Fox’s battle with the brain disorder—which he was diagnosed with in 1991 after noticing a tremor he had developed in his pinkie finger—has once again come to light.

He reportedly acknowledges in the movie, “I’m in excruciating pain.” Every vibration resembles a sudden earthquake. In a recent interview with The Times, he clarified the remarks, stating, “It’s not so much pain from the movement, but from the not moving.” It happens when you freeze, and at that time, your inert motion absorbs all of this energy and takes on a searing, imminent quality.

“I refuse to remove the violins. My hand, elbow, humerus, other humerus, shoulder, face, and a few more places have all been fractured. And the energy of the earthquakes magnifies all of that. Yes, it is quite painful. But you discover that no one really gives a damn. Life goes on. It is irrelevant. You accept it and go on. And it might include a story worth telling. But just that. You cannot show a window a chit to receive a refund.

Despite his apparent difficulties, Fox never wavered in his resolve to be positive and boldly declared that he was “going nowhere.” Due to his deteriorating health, the actor announced his formal retirement in 2021.

He stated, “The depression is [not] so deep that I’m going to injure myself.” I always end up thinking, “Well, there are more things in my life to celebrate than to mourn,” at this point. The suffering is quite expressive. You can choose to put up with it or not. I’m not leaving, either.

I’m not sure about you, but I find myself constantly motivated by Michael J. Fox’s courage in the face of such adversity. He is a real star to look up to. Do you concur? Please share your opinions in the comments section and join us in wishing Michael J. Fox the best possible luck going forward.