Lying on his kitchen floor, alone and unable to get up, Michael J. Fox discovered that his characteristic optimism had reached its limit.
As he was lying on his kitchen floor, alone and unable to get up, Michael J. Fox discovered that his characteristic optimism may have reached its limit. It was the summer of 2018. Mr. Fox had lived with Parkinson’s disease for nearly three decades, or roughly half his life. Yet his had been the boyish face of persistence, humor and hope in the face of the progressive neurological disorder that has afflicted millions of people.
His new book is No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality.
His new book is No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality.
Mr. Fox, who has been a summer vacationer on the Vineyard since 1988, was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. He had forged on with best-selling memoirs, movie and TV roles, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has funded $1 billion — that’s not a typo — in research over the past 20 years.
But sprawled on that floor, having shattered the humerus bone in his left arm, Mr. Fox felt embarrassment and regret washing over him. Before this, he had successfully established a kind of détente with the disease. Had his own brand of optimism — and projecting that optimism to others with Parkinson’s — run its course?
“I broke my arm, and I broke my arm badly,” he said in a recent phone interview. “It wasn’t so much that it hurt. It was all of a sudden I didn’t feel so optimistic and I thought, what a giant load of crap . . . holding up optimism as a panacea.” In his words, he was done with the making-lemonade-out-of-lemons business.
The resulting self-examination became a turning point in his life, which forms the core of his new book, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. Mr. Fox will discuss the book in an interview with friend and author Harlan Coben on Feb. 25, a winter event of the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival.
The broken arm was the culmination of an epically bad year for Mr. Fox and his family. It began in January with the death of Stephen Pollan, his wife Tracy’s father, who had been a comforting, encouraging mentor. That was followed in April by complicated, high-risk surgery to remove a tumor on his spine, which left untreated would have resulted in paralysis.
Yet after a long and difficult rehab to learn how to walk again, things appeared to be looking up.
Mr. Fox landed a one-day cameo in a Spike Lee-produced movie, See You Yesterday. So that August, he interrupted his Vineyard vacation for a quick trip to New York, accompanied by one of his daughters, Schuyler. As she dropped him off for the night, he waved off her offer to stay with him and help him get up and ready in the morning, a challenging process for many with Parkinson’s.
According to his book, his family had been repeatedly warning him: “You have one job. Do not fall!”
The next morning, he fell.
While he was able to telephone his assistant, who called an ambulance and then rushed over to help, the mishap triggered a round of self-recrimination — for letting down his incredibly supportive wife and children, his surgeons, his physical therapists, and others who had helped him through that year. (“I’ve come to accept that I take a village,” he quips in the book.)
“With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
“With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
It also marked the beginning of a process of reflection that resulted in a recalibrated perspective and, yes, optimism, but this time grounded in the reality of his circumstances. He recognized that always looking on the shiny side of the coin, to the exclusion of the flip side, ignored the reality of situations that needed to be acknowledged.
What helped was to recall the words of his father in law, Stephen, who had a rare ability to find something to be grateful for in virtually any situation. (Indeed, Mr. Pollan’s obituary in the Vineyard Gazette described his “passion for changing people’s lives by removing fear.”)
“I kept going back to Steve,” Mr. Fox said over the phone. “He always talked about acceptance and he always talked about gratitude. And I started to work gratitude into all my scenarios and to see where my gratitude was from this — and if I had gratitude.
“And it hit me, summing it all up: with gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
The pandemic compelled Mr. Fox to add an epilogue in which, among other things, he stepped back to recognize the hardship and suffering so many have endured, as well as the enormous sacrifice by front-line workers, just as he was writing about his own deeply personal struggle. Surrounded by his family in quarantine, it was an occasion to look around and express appreciation. You might call it gratitude.
The Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival talk with Michael J. Fox and Harlan Coben begins at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25. The online event is free, although registration is required at mvbookfestival.com.
Comments
You're a great actor and a
Valerie Henderson, COYou're a great actor and a great guy. Keep up the good work and take care. Best to you always
you do the best you can -
Ellen Campbell Finger Lakes NYyou do the best you can - and you can feel good that you did!
I suffer from chronic illness
Kathleen Flynn Phillipsburg NJI suffer from chronic illness. Immunoglobulin deficiency. I have very little in the way of people to support me.
I am in the same situation
Taylor Southern californiaI am in the same situation but get an animal, it has helped me feel needed and loved. It's something to keep us going.
I m so sorry. Your comment is
JohnI m so sorry. Your comment is heart felt even though I don’t know you. I am not sure if my words even help, but I am sending positive vibes and prayers to you.
And I bet you are a very
MarthaAnd I bet you are a very caring person when it comes to other people. The helpers usually have a hard time giving that same support to themselves. We have to believe we deserve support in order to to able to organize that for ourselves. I empathize with your situation. You are not alone. May this article and Michael's story be a catalyst for all of us who have a hard time accepting that we need and deserve help. No man or woman is an island, It does take a village. A human family. And what is support? It's Love. Compassion for the suffering of anyone including ourselves, is to me the greatest form of Love.
I’m buying your book today,
Roddy Seasonal VisitorI’m buying your book today, Michael. Well done. You’ve truly payed it forward.
Keep up the good work that
Mary Stockton, CaliforniaKeep up the good work that you are doing.
Amazing commitment to life.
Brian EdgartownAmazing commitment to life. Keep with it.
Read the book. Such a
Justine Steele New Bern NCRead the book. Such a blessing. Mom had PD back when we could get no info. Now I have some closure. Also I have a Neuro problem. Hope springeth eternal. Thank you Mr Fox.
Hang in there Michael my
Carmen gonzalez IllinoisHang in there Michael my prayers are with you
Your a great person May god bless you and your family
Through it all, you’ve always
Cookie Yordon Ct.Through it all, you’ve always remained humble and kind!
God bless u Michael J Fox!
Jim EdgartownGod bless u Michael J Fox! Your a good man! Ps I enjoyed you on curb your enthusiasm !
I have so much respect for
AmyL Wilmington, NC USAI have so much respect for the humility and honesty in which MJF shares his story. It is powerful and has been one of the single best sources for people navigating Parkinson’s. I’m a fan of all his books and the foundation. Keep at it, Michael!
Thank you Mr. Fox for being
Nancy EdgartownThank you Mr. Fox for being such a brave leader in this space. Both of my grandparents, who I loved (still do)so dearly suffered from Parkinson's in the 1970's - SO much progress being made now, in large measure due to your efforts.
I admire Mr. Fox's strength
Robby K Oak BluffsI admire Mr. Fox's strength and appreciate how he is inspiring others. Well done.
You are an inspiration to us
Pa u l Louisville KYYou are an inspiration to us all. Your my hero
I have PD, as did my late
Julie P. CincinnatiI have PD, as did my late father. Your book doesn't pull any punches. It's a battle every day to try to be positive. Thank you.
You are in inspiration. I
Anne Fitzgibbon Boston, Martha's Vineyard, ColoradoYou are in inspiration. I have multiple autoimmune conditions but all of them summed up don't equal your challenges. I love that you love the Vineyard. I love that you are in a wonderful marriage with what I believe to have wonderful kids. Blessings to you for all that you do. You are truly amazing..
My mother has Parkinson's,
Pam L Hull, MAMy mother has Parkinson's, which I knew something of, and which didn't seem so scary, and that is foremost due to Michael J Fox--who honestly and openly navigated the disease. He humbly and devotedly made something we all care about--him--become something to change the world of Parkinson's with, and even still, with humility and honor, shares his challenges, so we can all learn. Bravo, Mr. Fox. Thank you.
Michael J Fox is a touchstone
Jimmyballgame9 WTMichael J Fox is a touchstone from my childhood.
Whether playing Alex P Keaton in Family Ties, Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies, or more dramatic turns in movies like Casualties of War or Bright Lights, Big City, he always brought humor and warmth to whatever roles he played.
I’ll admit, I never knew much about his personal life, other than that he was dedicated to his family and carried himself with courage and dignity throughout his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
To read in this article his foundation has raised $1 billion (!) for Parkinson’s research only elevates him more in my eyes.
There are many people who, after a successful and lucrative career in Hollywood, might withdrawal from public life after being diagnosed the such a debilitating disease.
But instead Fox chose to not only continue with his acting career, but also to dedicate his life to fighting this disease and helping others.
It is clear from this article it has not always been easy for Fox during he battle with Parkinson's.
I only hopes he realizes how many people love him and his work and appreciate everything he has done in his life — both before, and especially after his diagnosis.
You are a inspiration to us
Gail OB and PBYou are a inspiration to us all. You are so loved. God bless you
While I enjoyed this article,
Lou Hall, Sr. Vineyard HavenWhile I enjoyed this article, and I'm looking forward to the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival event on the 25th, it was also very nice to see three of Peter Simon's photographs of Michael included here. I still miss having Peter around, and I'm happy The Vineyard Gazette made these three photographic selections.
Thank you for saying that. I
Ronni SimonThank you for saying that. I was thinking the same exact thing!
Great photos by Peter Simon,
Karen QuincyGreat photos by Peter Simon, as always!
Enjoyed reading about Michael
Julie Hatch Brown MarylandEnjoyed reading about Michael and seeing Peter's photos of him!
Dear Mr Fox. I have always
Jill Marie Hollister caDear Mr Fox. I have always had the biggest crush on you. You are so incredibly gorgeous. Always have been. Always will. I am a nurse. I understand the hardship you and your family goes through every day and every night. But you Rock. I hope you feel a bit of relief on occasions. Take care
When I feel like things are
John Coos bay, OrWhen I feel like things are hard, I look to people like Michael J Fox and others and think to myself how good I truly have it with no health issues. At age 56 years old, I am blessed to walk each day without any help and I am not writing to boast but rather to appreciate my life right now, every day and every minute. I am living the last 5 minutes because I don’t when my health will ever be affected to the point where it takes a village as Michael said. My prayers are to everyone who is struggling with health issues and that you may find peace in staying optimistic and joyous with whom you have by your side each day. And to those who don’t have anyone, my heart breaks for your loneliness. Truly God can fill that empty void. Many blessings to everyone and to you Michael and your beautiful family.
You're a wonderful human in
Kathleen Padden Boston.You're a wonderful human in so many ways, Michael. Always know that there are unseen millions of us rooting for you always.
Keep on being strong. Your
Letty Walker Loiza Valley CanovanasKeep on being strong. Your family is so special. An example to us all.
Dear Michael, you are an
Terry Reilly Plymouth MaDear Michael, you are an inspiration to many people including myself. I also have PD, which is not fun! I try very hard to be positive every day, Because of you I find hope. I was wondering if You had a Mantra( something that you tell yourself, when things are kinda tough) ? I say ( You’re Okay, you’re Okay) . What do You tell Yourself?
I read your new book and it
Jay Maag SacramentoI read your new book and it really helped me to transform the way I view my Parkinson's, I've only had PD 5 years and am not experiencing as severe symptoms as you are, I was however not being honest with my self about my disease and the impact it was having on my life. It got me to make an appointment with my neurologist and get back into therapy. It was really good to know that I'm not alone. Thank you very much for helping me to not feel so alone.
I’ve had phase 1 for 5 years.
Melissa Franklin Van Buren, ArI’ve had phase 1 for 5 years. I was in denial for 3. I’ve realized it is what it is and learning to just accept it.
My son was diagnosed with
maria falzon maltaMy son was diagnosed with Parkinsons when he was 23. He is 42 now.
Sometimes it's hard to be grateful but he is mostly positive and a fighter.
Our love and prayers are
Lois Grubb IndianaOur love and prayers are always with you Michael to fight this disease!! Always loved watching you in shows for years. Where can we buy your book? May God have His Angels always watching over you and your precious family.
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