Monday, 28 December 2020

Book ~ "No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality" (2020) Michael J. Fox

From Goodreads ~ The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in "Back to the Future"; as Alex P. Keaton in "Family Ties"; as Mike Flaherty in "Spin City"; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances on shows such as "The Good Wife" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm". 

Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the world’s leading non-profit funder of PD science. His two previous bestselling memoirs, "Lucky Man" and "Always Looking Up", dealt with how he came to terms with the illness, all the while exhibiting his iconic optimism. His new memoir reassesses this outlook, as events in the past decade presented additional challenges.

In "No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality", Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, aging, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox’s trademark sense of humor, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses.

Running through the narrative is the drama of the medical madness Fox recently experienced, that included his daily negotiations with the Parkinson’s disease he’s had since 1991, and a spinal cord issue that necessitated immediate surgery. His challenge to learn how to walk again, only to suffer a devastating fall, nearly caused him to ditch his trademark optimism and “get out of the lemonade business altogether.”

Michael J. Fox is an actor and author, originally from British Columbia.  He quit school in grade eleven to move to L.A. to pursue his dream of being an actor.  He married actress, Tracy Pollan, and they have four children (the youngest recently graduated from high school).  After the birth of their first child, Michael found out he had Parkinson's disease.  Over the years, the symptoms have have gotten worse and he eventually retired from acting, though he has done some short term parts over the years.

This book is his story of dealing with Parkinson's and how it has limited his life over the years.  He's got to think about every move he makes before he makes them.  Plus he's had other health issues including having a tumour removed from his spine which was causing him excruciating amount of pain.  He has the support of his family and some great friends.

I liked this book ... it's an interesting story.  I liked the writing style ... despite all he is going through, his personality and sense of humour came though.  I didn't know much about Parkinson's and learned a lot about it (but not in a preaching way).  I'm surprised I haven't read his first two books but I've added them to my "to be read" list.

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