On Monday, Michael J. Fox revealed what the latest advancements in stem cell research mean for his Parkinson’s disease. Now in part two of our interview, Michael reveals the personal side of his life and the major change his family will soon go through.
“Tell me about your day-to-day life now. I actually heard you’re coaching soccer,” Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounous asked.
“Well, I was assistant coach on my daughter’s team last year, but not to any great affect. I don’t think I ever contributed to any victories or anything,” Michael said.
Michael’s spirit is unbreakable and nothing makes his face light up faster than talking about what he loves doing most – spending time with his wife of 19 years, Tracey Pollan, and their four children.
“I love getting out there with my kids,” he said. “I’m lucky that I’m in a position where I can spend a lot of time with them and be a part of their lives and their growing up.”
“So what would be the one thing that would surprise people about your daily life?” Maria asked.
“Well, I think that people [who] focus on the fact that I have this condition might be surprised at how happy I am and how productive I am and how much enthusiasm I have for life,” he said.
At 46, Michael doesn’t let anything stand in the way of his leading a normal life including his constant body tremors, a side affect from his Parkinson’s medication.
Backstage at the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research Benefit, Michael told Access about the positive effect Parkinson’s has had on his life.
“It happened to be that it created an opportunity for me to do things that I might not otherwise have done,” he said. “And it gave me a way to put the rest of my life in relief, so that I could say, ‘Yeah, this is a drag to have this’, but put it against everything else, and it’s like a pin in a haystack. I have so many blessings and so much good stuff in my life, that I just have an idiot grin on my face the whole time.”
“Are you still playing tennis?” Maria asked.
“Yeah, I started tennis and golf in my 40s, which, if anyone wants to know a true sign of optimism, it’s taking up golf in your 40s, ‘cause there’s no way I’ll ever be good at it,” he laughed.
“You have a son going off to college, how is that gonna affect your life at home? Are you going to be sad to see him go off to college?” Maria asked.
“Yeah, it’s like Tracy was joking the other day, we’re suffering Full Nest Syndrome,” he joked. “It’s gonna be tricky. It’s hard. He’s such a pal of mine that it’ll be funny not having him around on a day-to-day basis, but you know, that’s the beauty of childhood. . . . I’m excited for him, he’s ready for the world!”
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