Celebrities With Parkinson's Disease - Mohammed Ali, Michael J Fox Working With Their Disabilities

Many famous personalities around the world have, orwhich is dedicated to finding the cure for this terrible
had, Parkinson's Disease. The list reads like a who'sdisease. His goal is to find that cure and put his own
who: Mohammed Ali, Michael J. Fox, Johnny Cash,foundation out of business.
Katharine Hepburn, Billy Graham, Pierre Trudeau andMichael has done many interviews over the course of
Pope John Paul 2.his illness. In some of these interviews he seems
Parkinson's Disease is a neurological disease that canrelatively symptom-free; in others, his symptoms are
cause trembling or shaking of different parts of thevery obvious. Some have assumed that he appears
body. It is progressive and can cause total paralysison-camera while symptomatic in an effort to gain
and death. Most often it is associated with old age,pity. Michael denies that and states that it's just the
but there is a form of the disease that afflicts peopleunpredictable nature of the disease; sometimes the
as early as their 30's. The progression of the diseasemedications take effect sooner, and sometimes later.
and its symptoms can be very rapid or quite slow.What is most admirable about this is that, whether
The constellation of symptoms is different for eachhe is very symptomatic or relatively symptom-free,
patient, and can change day by day or even hour byMichael always handles the situation with grace, poise
hour.and wisdom. If his interviewer seems uncomfortable
Perhaps the most famous Parkinson's patient isat the beginning of the interview, by the end it is
Mohammad Ali, the American boxer. He was a brillianteasy to see that they have been put at ease by
star in boxing in his prime. Because of the effects ofMichael's good humor, his upbeat acceptance of his
the disease, now in his late 50's he has difficultysituation and his determination to help others with his
walking, speaking and moving his hands. The diseasediagnosis.
makes his gait very short and choppy and gives himMichael J. Fox has written books about his journey
balance problems. Despite these difficulties he carriedwith Parkinson's. The first is called "Lucky Man," in
the Olympic torch to light the flame for the 1996which he recounts how the disease made him take a
games. His symptoms were obvious at that time, butgood look at life and learn to appreciate the good
he remained upbeat and cheerful, and despite histhings much more than he had before his diagnosis.
having lost the ability to smile, he appeared veryThe second, "Always Looking Up - The Adventures
happy to be present at this event.of an Incurable Optimist," is a forward-looking and
Johnny Cash, the famous American country singer,hopeful sequel.
announced that he had Parkinson's in October ofAlthough each patient's symptoms are different and
1997. The actress Katharine Hepburn's headmay change, there are many symptoms common to
movements late in life may have been the result ofthe disease. One of these is called the "mask face,"
Parkinson's Disease. Margaret Bourke-White, theor hypomimia. With many patients, the face becomes
famous LIFE magazine photographer, died ofvery still, seeming almost expressionless. The
Parkinson's in 1971.eyebrows don't move, and the patient is unable to
One of the youngest patients known to the generalsmile. Michael J. Fox and Mohammed Ali show this
public is Michael J. Fox. He was the star of the threesymptom. Patients can also exhibit tiny handwriting
very popular "Back To The Future" movies, playingand a soft, whispery voice.
an American teenager who was unwittinglyThe twitching of the limbs, head or hands is another
transported back to 1955 where he met his parentsfamiliar symptom of this disease. This twitching
when they were teens themselves. Just after filmingoccurs when the limb is at rest, but can be greatly
of the last of these movies was finished, Michaeldiminished when the patient is performing tasks.
began exhibiting the first signs of the disease. ForSometimes when a patient is overmedicated, this
him, the first sign was an uncontrollably twitchingmovement turns into a larger rocking motion.
pinky finger. For a number of years he hid hisDealing with the diagnosis and the symptoms of
diagnosis and did his best to conceal the effects ofParkinson's Disease can be extremely difficult. It can
the disease, but in late 1998 he announced hisbe a long, physically and emotionally draining journey,
condition.but it is one that need not be taken alone. If you
Since that time he has undergone brain surgery andknow someone living with Parkinson's, explore all the
has been on a long and changing list of medications inoptions that are available to you for support and
an effort to control his symptoms. He created theassistance. Plenty of help is out there.
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research,