Michael J. Fox is realizing how challenging his battle with Parkinson’s disease, lasting for more than 30 years, has become.
“I’m not gonna be 80,” the “Back to the Future” star, 61, recognizes in a preview for an upcoming episode of “CBS Sunday Morning.”
In a preview for an upcoming episode of “CBS Sunday Morning,” the star of “Back to the Future,” who is 61 years old, acknowledges that they will not live to be 80.
“Yeah, it’s, it’s banging on the door,” he said.
“I’m not gonna lie. It’s gettin’ hard, it’s gettin’ harder. It’s gettin’ tougher. Every day it’s tougher.”
Fox explained that he underwent surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor from his spine, but the operation affected his ability to walk. He began to “break” other parts of his body, such as his arm, elbow, face, and hand.
He explains that aside from Parkinson’s disease, falling and aspirating food can also lead to pneumonia which is the common cause of death. He emphasizes that it may happen in subtle ways that people should be cautious about.
“You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s,” he concludes.
“So – so I’ve been – I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it.”
At the young age of 29, Fox received a diagnosis for a brain disorder.
Since then, he has become a prominent supporter of research on the condition. In fact, he even created the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to help raise awareness and provide funding for studies.
Two years ago, the actor revealed that he is not afraid of dying.
“I’m really blunt with people about cures. When they ask me if I will be relieved of Parkinson’s in my lifetime, I say, ‘I’m 60 years old, and science is hard. So, no,’” Fox said in December 2021.
“I am genuinely a happy guy. I don’t have a morbid thought in my head — I don’t fear death. At all.”