Michael J. Fox reflects on a harrowing year in which he broke several bones during his battle with Parkinson’s

Michael J. Fox has recalled a painful past year that saw him suffer several broken bones and mourn the loss of his mother – amid a 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

In an emotional interview with PeopleThe Back to the Future star, 61, said his condition had “deteriorated” and he was uncharacteristically “missing people” after he broke his cheek, arm, shoulder and hand and his mother Phyllis died aged 92 years old.

The actor previously called 2018 one of his worst when he underwent surgery to remove a tumor on his spinal cord, after which he broke his left arm.

He said: “I broke my cheek, then my arm, then my shoulder, I had a new shoulder put in and I broke [right] arm, then I broke my elbow. I’m 61 and feel it a little more.

“I was never a moody guy, but I became very moody and short with people. I’m trying to nip it in the bud. I always think about these assistants who work with me. And I often tell them, “Whatever I say, just imagine that I said ‘please’ at the beginning and ‘thank you’ at the end. Just take a second and realize that I could have said that if I was more myself, but I didn’t, so I’m sorry.”

In 1991, the actor was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a long-term degenerative disease of the central nervous system. In 1998, he went public with his diagnosis and continued his acting career.

The disease affects the body’s nervous system and causes tremors, muscle stiffness and loss of balance. Medicines can help control symptoms, but there is no cure.

Icon: In an emotional interview with People, the Back to the Future star, 61, said his condition “deteriorated” and he became uncharacteristically “not human enough” after he broke his cheek, arm, shoulder and hand and his mother, Phyllis, died at age 92

Sad news: Michael announced that his mother, Phyllis Fox, died at the age of 92 on September 24; Photo of 2014

In 2000, the actor-turned-advocate founded the Michael Fox Foundation to help fund research into treatments for the degenerative disease. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $1 billion.

He retired from acting in 2020, citing the fact that Parkinson’s disease began to affect his ability to speak and his memory.

The star said she is now “feeling good” after her latest injuries have healed and detailed her mission to “not fall”.

Michael, who was seen struggling to get around at Comic-Con this month, where he reunited with BTTF co-star Christopher Lloyd, said: “So anything that works to keep you from falling, whether it’s a walker or a wheelchair , a cane, a guy with a belt around my waist holding it – I use all those tools.”

Michael added that he is now on his way to walking freely again.

The Good Wife actor said his positive outlook stems from always trying to “find gratitude wherever I am” and that despite a tough few months, he’s “come out on the other side better ” and finally happy again.

The star has been married to 62-year-old actress Tracy Pollan since 1988. They have four children: 33-year-old son Sam, 27-year-old Aquina and Schuyler, and 21-year-old Esme.

Michael praised his wife Tracy for her love and support throughout their marriage and his health battles

Doc and Marty are reunited! Michael, who was spotted struggling to get around at Comic-Con this month, where he reunited with BTTF co-star Christopher Lloyd, said: “So anything that helps keep you from falling, whether it’s a walker, a wheelchair, cane – I use all these tools

Earlier this month, Michael revealed that his mother, Phyllis Fox, died at the age of 92 on September 24.

The actor revealed the sad news during his appearance at New York Comic Con 2022 over the weekend.

Michael remembered Phyllis, recalling a funny anecdote about how she didn’t want him filming Family Ties during the day and Back to the Future at night in the 1980s.

“I was 23 and I called her and she was in Canada and I said, ‘They want me to do this Steven Spielberg movie, but I have to do it at night and I have to do Family Ties during the day. .” And she said, “You’re going to be too tired,” he shared.

The Canadian-American star told her mom in response: “I live for this tired. Everything will be fine.”

He then added: ‘Until today – well, until two weeks ago – my mother thought it was a very bad idea for me to do Back to the Future. she loved the movie [but she was right]I’m tired.”

Phyllis was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1929, according to an online obituary.

She is there survived by sons Steve and Michael, and daughters Jackie and Kelly, as well as her nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

Phyllis “took particular pride in raising awareness for diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and serving on the board of directors of the Michael J. Fox Theater in Burnaby.”

Family First: The star has been married to 62-year-old actress Tracy Pollan since 1988. They have four children together: son Sam, 33, and daughters Aquina and Schuyler, 27, and Esme, 21.

Timeless: He retired from acting in 2020, citing Parkinson’s disease as it began to affect his ability to speak and his memory. In a 1985 still from the movie Back to the Future

During Comic Con, Michael also shared his health issues and how he remains optimistic despite them.

“Well, over the last year I’ve broken my cheek, my eye socket, my arm, my elbow… my shoulder. I had a rough year getting beat up. But it was really cool because I realized with gratitude that it was sustainable,” he said.

“If you can find something to be thankful for, if you can find something and say, ‘Well, that’s good,’ … It’s always going to get better. … I’m very optimistic.”

Happy again: The Good Wife actor said his positive attitude is down to always trying to “find gratitude wherever I am” and how, despite a tough few months, he “came out on the other side better ” and finally happy again (pictured on October 8, 2022)

“I would say that optimism is thinking that things will get better rather than worse. If you believe in it and are grateful for it, it will sustain you for the rest of your life,” he added.

Michael previously shared his struggle with Parkinson’s disease in a 2020 interview Peoplediscussing his short-term memory, tremors, and rigidity.

“My short-term memory is poor,” he said, adding, “I’ve always had a real knack for lines and memorization.” And I’ve had some extreme situations where the last few jobs I’ve done have actually been verbose pieces. I struggled during both.

He is now awaiting an AppleTV+ documentary that is due to be released in 2023 and will tell the story of his life.