It’s been 18 years since Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – an illness that would change his life, and career, forever. And to document just how far he (and Parkinson’s research) has come, Fox released a new book – Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist – in March 2009.
New Parkinson's Book, New Focus
In 2002, Fox released Lucky Man: A Memoir, a book that details his childhood, his rise to fame and the beginning of his Parkinson’s symptoms. The book shot straight to the top of the best-seller list and thrust Fox into the spotlight as the face of Parkinson’s disease.
His new book Always Looking Up focuses on his struggles since quitting his acting gig on “Spin City” and coming to grips with his new persona: “Mike with PD.” Detailing the previous 10 years of his life, Fox centers the book around family, faith, politics and work, all while remaining positive about life with Parkinson’s and fighting to find a cure for the disease in his lifetime.
Raising Awareness for Parkinson’s Research
Living with a disease that robs him of control over his own body, Michael J. Fox has become a spokesperson for Parkinson’s disease, speaking in front of Congress and appearing in commercials to gain support for stem cell research – which could lead to a possible Parkinson’s treatment.
He also started the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, whose mission is “dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease within the decade through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.” To date, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded more than $142 million in research for Parkinson’s treatments.
Resources
To learn more about Michael J. Fox, his books (Lucky Man: A Memoir or Always Looking Up), or his foundation, visit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
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Researchers believe they've found the gene that may be directly linked to the occurrence of Parkinson’s in those with a family history of the disease. For more information about Parkinson's Disease and genetics, see Parkinson’s Disease Cause Linked to Gene.
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See Michael J. Fox: The Very Public Face of Parkinson’s for more information about Michael J. Fox and his involvement in finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.
