‘Optimism can last as long as there is gratitude.’ Actor Michael J. Fox offers enlightening advice

on coping with Parkinson’s disease. Michael’s life has been severely affected by the illness, but he seems to handle each day with grace.

We all recognize him as the time traveler Marty McFly from the popular Back to the Future film series, and we also adored him as Alex in Family Ties.

The person he is in real life is perhaps his most admirable quality right now. He is able to confront a dreadful illness with optimism, gratitude, and grace.

He agreed to an interview with Jane Pauley of the Sunday Morning Show to discuss how he manages his Parkinson’s when he offered some wise counsel that we might all benefit from.

‘Optimism can last as long as there is gratitude.’ ‘That’s the point, I recognize how difficult this is for people, and I recognize how challenging this is for me,’

he continued. However, I have a specific set of abilities that enable me to handle this. And I understood that optimism may endure if we practice thankfulness.

And if you are able to find something to be thankful for, you will also be able to find something to look forward to, and you will go forward.

Micheal has struggled for years with the dreadful illness that produces tremors, rigidity in the muscles, twitches, and impaired speech.

However, he manages to maintain his composure and maintain his joy. Where does he get his fortitude from? He is quoting his mother, a military spouse.

Looking back, he appreciated how strong and upbeat her mother was as a gift. She appeared to take everything in stride, a quality that Michael now values highly.

On some of his darkest days, he would occasionally do this minute by minute. She gave her son a unique perspective and the skills he needed to go through difficult times.

Michael J. Fox is aware that, like all of us, his days are numbered. However, he intends to maximize his time here on earth by maintaining a grateful, upbeat mindset.