Speaking about his long-standing battle with Parkinson's disease in a new CBS interview, actor Michael J. Fox said his disease has evolved in recent years in ways that have made everyday life difficult.
"It's knocking on the door," the 61-year-old actor said of his struggles with Parkinson's. "Yeah, I mean I won't lie. It's getting hard, it's getting harder. It's getting harder every day. But it is like that.
Fox explained that he was struggling with the side effects of the disease, which included repeated falls that resulted in broken bones.
"[Falling] is a big killer with Parkinson's. Drop food and aspirate and get pneumonia,” he said. “All those subtle ways that get you. You don't die of Parkinson's, you die with Parkinson's. I'm not turning 80. I'm not turning 80."
Still, the actor reflected on his own privilege in dealing with his diagnosis and how he's managed to live a fulfilling and successful life so far. "It's been over 30 years," said the 61-year-old actor. "There aren't many of us who have had the disease for 30 years ... I have found with gratitude and optimism that it is sustainable."
His philanthropic organization The Michael J. Fox Foundation has raised over $1.5 billion and recently announced the discovery of a Parkinson's biomarker that doctors hope will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
"Where we are now, five years from now we're going to be able to tell if they have it, say if they'll ever get it, and know how to treat it," he said.
Fox's life and battle with Parkinson's is the subject of a new Apple TV+ documentary called STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie. It will be available to stream on May 12th.
