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After Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he shared a glimpse at the ceremony on social media.
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Michael J. Fox is using his latest honor to speak up for all those battling Parkinson’s disease.
After the Back to the Future star, who was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease in 1991, was honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts to find a cure to Parkinson’s, he shared a glimpse into the Jan. 4 ceremony, where President Joe Biden presented him the medal. And with it, he shared a message to all of those also fighting his fight.
“On behalf of the million or so people living with Parkinson's, and the millions more who love them, I am proud and honored to accept the Medal of Freedom from President Biden,” Fox wrote in a Jan. 6 Instagram post. “No doubt I get the most attention in the PD community, but this is our fight and support and recognition on this level is a great boost.”
Alongside his humble message, the Emmy winner shared photos of himself being given his medal from the president, as well as a sweet family picture alongside wife Tracy Pollan and kids Sam, 35, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 29, and Esmé, 23.
“I still believe with all my heart we will eliminate Parkinson's disease,” Fox concluded in his post, “and all who have joined in the fight will have played a part in the victory.”
Since his diagnosis, Fox has become an advocate for those fighting Parkinson’s alongside him, raising billions of dollars for research to cure the disease through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
And although he retired from acting in 2020 due to symptoms from his disease, the Family Ties alum has also maintained a positive and persistent mindset.
“I’ve won more awards and had more nominations since I announced my diagnosis,” he told Variety in 2023. “It may be that people feel bad for me, but I prefer to look at it as an acknowledgment for continuing to have a legitimate career.”
Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Amid his struggle with his disease, Fox continues to uphold a personal goal of finding a cure.
As he says in a statement on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website, “We have a responsibility as patients to share our experience—what works for us, what we respond to, what we can contribute to research."
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