[Medical] - Michael J. Fox's personal struggle with worsening Parkinson's makes him doubt his own previously optimistic message of hope for others

[UltimaOnline]

In the book, Fox shares his insights amid this health journey. For instance, he writes about being pushed around in a wheelchair and how “generally the person in control is a stranger,” which made him feel like “luggage” — how he’s expected to “just sit still” and not “say much.”

And he wondered, in the book, “Have I been an honest broker with the Parkinson’s community? The understanding I’ve reached with Parkinson’s is sincere, but the expression of it risks being glib.” And while he used to be a person who made lemonade out of lemons, now he feels like, “Screw it — I’m out of the lemonade business.”

Fox, who underwent a brain-drilling procedure to help his Parkinson’s, told the NYT he’s all about candor, and quickness, these days, noting, “I’m not going to tell anyone about anything other than my experience. I’m 59 years old, and I got no time for small talk.”

His longtime producing partner, Nelle Fortenberry, who assisted him in writing the book, not as a ghost writer or co-author, but just physically helped by typing and doing things Fox can’t, said this book is a side of him people haven’t seen.

“This book gives a different side of him, and it’s not manufactured,” she said. “It’s 100 percent real. And heart-wrenching.”

Fox also spoke about his Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has funded more than $1 billion in Parkinson’s research in its 20 years, admitting sadly, “I’d hoped we’d be out of business by now. I thought we’d find a cure — oil and dog hair will fix it, or something like that.”

https://sg.yahoo.com/style/entertai...battle-not-being-able-to-speak-193434664.html