Michael J. Fox Voices Disappointment Over Government's Silence on Parkinson's Research
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, actor Michael J. Fox revealed that his plea for the administration of former President Donald Trump to increase involvement in the fight against Parkinson's disease has gone unanswered. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991, took a pointed jab at the president for seemingly ignoring his invitation to support more research into the neurodegenerative disorder.
Foundation Outpaces Federal Funding
Our foundation directs more money towards Parkinson's research than the federal government, Fox stated, referring to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which he established in 2000. It's frustrating to know we're putting everything we can into it, and it would be nice to have the government behind us, but it seems that they're involved in other things that have less impact on people's lives. When questioned about potential collaboration with Trump directly, Fox quipped, He's busy with Greenland. More pressing concerns, I guess.
A Lifelong Advocate and Recent Honors
Fox, now 64, did not publicly disclose his diagnosis until approximately seven years after it occurred, but he has since become a vocal advocate for those affected by Parkinson's. The disease is a progressive condition of the central nervous system with no current cure, also impacting notable figures like NFL legend Brett Favre and singer Linda Ronstadt. Over the years, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has reportedly raised over $2.5 billion for research efforts.
In recognition of his advocacy and acting achievements, Fox was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, shortly before President Joe Biden left office last year. This accolade underscores his significant contributions to advancing Parkinson's treatments.
Urgent Calls for Action and Future Hopes
Days prior to Trump's second-term inauguration last year, Fox published an essay in USA Today, urging elected officials across the nation to do everything in their power to end Parkinson's once and for all. He emphasized that Parkinson's is a solvable problem, but only if we act decisively and urgently. Fox wrote, We have the knowledge, and we've built the tools. We stand ready to partner with the government, this time with unprecedented potential to deliver enormous payoffs for American families. He added that this presents a chance for officials to fulfill their promises to improve lives.
A year later, Fox remains discouraged by the lack of response but holds optimism for an upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. He hopes to meet with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss the government's strategy on brain research. I'm going to Washington next month and hopefully talk to Kennedy and find out what the government's game plan is on addressing brain research in general and taking a more serious approach to some of these things that are soluble, he told Vanity Fair. Fox described Parkinson's as a weird disease, noting, We always say genetics loads a gun and environment pulls the trigger. We're trying to figure out what's biological and what's chemical.
Return to Acting and Personal Reflections
Fox is set to return to television this week in the third season of the Apple TV series Shrinking, starring alongside Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. He portrays Gerry, a character dealing with a Parkinson's diagnosis who seeks therapy from Dr. Paul Rhoades, played by Ford, who also has the disease. Despite formally retiring from acting in 2020, Fox clarified that this role is not the beginning of any campaign to reestablish my career. He explained to the Los Angeles Times, The depth of character, the quality of relationships, the language — it's just a beautiful show. And I thought, just do that for its own sake. I don't have an agenda. Don't have to be coming back into acting or anything. It'll be fun. And there's Harrison Ford, which is insane.
