Michael J Fox’s worrying health update as he ‘struggles’ with multiple broken bones

Back To The Future star Michael J. Fox has given a raw interview about his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Back To The Future star Michael J. Fox has detailed his “struggle” with Parkinson’s after suffering numerous broken bones.

In an interview with People magazine, the 61-year-old, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1991, also revealed the toll his mother’s death last month had on him.

“It got worse, 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”, Fox told the US outlet.

“I’m 61 years old, and I’m feeling it a little bit more.”

Since Fox’s shock diagnosis, he has been campaigning for greater research into the condition.

He founded The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, which has raised more than $US1.5 billion dollars for research funding.

The three main symptoms of the condition are involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, known as tremors, slow movement, and stiff and inflexible muscles.

The actor admitted the string of injuries had affected his typically optimistic outlooking, saying: “I was never really a cranky guy, but I got very cranky and short with 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 apologise’.”

The former actor, having retired in 2020, has said he is now “coming through” as the last of his injuries are healing.

“I’m just getting to where I’m walking steadily again. I think it’s cool to walk by myself. It’s fantastic,” he said.

His mission now is not to fall down, whether that be by using a walker, a wheelchair, a cane or “a guy with a belt around my waist holding on to it”.

Earlier this month, Fox was proudly able to walk unassisted on stage at New York’s Comic-Con to be reunited with his Back To The Future co-star Christopher Lloyd, 84, in front of a crowd of delighted fans.

Actors Christopher Lloyd (L) and Michael J. Fox attend a "Back To The Future Reunion" at New York Comic Con. Picture: Mike Coppola

Fox – a father of four – said it’s been challenging for his wife of 34 years, Tracy Pollan.

“It took me a while to get that it wasn’t just about me,” he said.

“If I break my arm, I’m dealing with my broken arm. But if you’re the person who lives with and loves and supports the person with the broken arm, you’ve got to do everything.”

Fox also opened up about his “spectacular” mother, Phyllis, and said he appreciates more than ever her resilience as a military wife, as she looked after him and his four siblings while his father, William, served in the Canadian forces.

She died in September at the age of 92.

Tracy Pollan with her husband Michael J. Fox in 2018.

But as he leaves this difficult year behind, Fox appears more determined than ever to put the spotlight back on a new chapter of possibilities.

“It’s been a struggle, but I’m happy,” he said.

“I say that because I hope on some level people can find happiness in spite of what they’re going through.”

Fox will be honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar recognising outstanding philanthropic efforts, at the Governors Awards on November 19.

He also has a documentary with Apple+ in the works for next year, which he says will explore him and his “different ways of looking at my life”.

Originally published as Michael J Fox’s worrying health update as he ‘struggles’ with multiple broken bones