No Time Like the Future

No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality by Michael J. Fox

I just finished reading MJF’s newest book. This is his third best seller, his others being Lucky Man and Always Looking Up. Each one is a memoir and shares the next chapter in his life with Parkinson’s. One of the things I liked most about his book is that it details his perspective and experiences now that he has had PD for almost thirty years.

The last couple of years have been challenging for him with spinal surgery and a broken arm, and he details how the experience has changed his outlook and made him think about his mortality. A broken arm may not seem so difficult in the scheme of injuries, but for someone with a chronic illness it can present many more challenges. He is great at describing his feelings about what its like to depend on others for simple day to day tasks because physically he can’t manage them, and how it can feel demoralizing or embarrassing, but he keeps it in perspective and always adds his signature humor.

I laughed and teared up. What brought tears to my eyes the most were the moments where he reflects on how his disease has impacted his family. I think that is one of the most emotionally difficult things for people with a chronic illness, is the impact on those around them.

Being in his twenties when he was diagnosed and newly married with a small child, and then having three more children after his diagnosis, amazes me. The extra challenges of having Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and raising a family must be tremendous. He is the first one to admit he could have never done it, without his wife Tracy Pollan, who is the lead in his incredible support system.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. The common thread throughout all of his books is gratitude, appreciation and being hopeful for the future. His advocacy of Parkinson’s and willingness to go public has propelled public awareness like no other. I’ll leave you with a quote from another famous person from our tribe.

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe” ~Muhammad Ali