Despite Recent Falls and Broken Bones, Michael J. Fox Says He’s Battling Through Parkinson’s

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Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at the age of 29. But while Fox admitted it has come with its share of major struggles, he said he is happy today.

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“I’m rocking and rolling,” he said in a wide-ranging interview with People.

Fox, 61, gained a massive following for his role as Alex Keaton on the hit sitcom Family Times in the 1980s. He eventually became perhaps more well-known for playing a young Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movie franchise.

The last year has been particularly tough, Fox explained, with the Parkinson’s causing him to fall and suffer a few broken bones.

Michael J. Fox Says He’s Battling Through Parkinson’s

“I broke my cheek, then my hand, then my shoulder, had a replacement shoulder put in and broke my [right] arm, then I broke my elbow,” he said. “I’m 61 years old, and I’m feeling it a little bit more.”

All the pain took a toll on his mood.

“I was never really a cranky guy, but I got very cranky and short with people,” he told People. “I try to nip it in the bud. I always think of these aides who work with me. And I often say to them, ‘Whatever I say, just imagine I said ‘please’ at the beginning and ‘thank you’ at the end. Just take a second and absorb that I might have said that if I was more myself, but I didn’t, so I apologize.’ “

Fox has been married to Tracy Jo Pollan since 1988. The actress is most noted for her role as Ellen Reid on Family Ties. She and Fox worked together again in the 1988 movie Bright Lights, Big City. They have four children together, including twins.

Fox actually made a rare appearance recently, when he joined Back to the Future co-star Christopher Lloyd at Comic-Con. He also is active with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the largest Parkinson’s foundation in the world.

“It’s been a struggle, but I’m happy,” he told People. “I say that because I hope on some level people can find happiness in spite of what they’re going through.”

Read More: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd Reunite For ‘Back To The Future’ Panel at Comic-Con

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