Always Looking Up CD - Fox

[Best Syndication News] ‘The Oprah Winfrey’ show had an interesting show with Dr. Oz and Michael J. Fox discussing Parkinson’s disease. Fox has been living with Parkinson’s disease and has shown on the show today that even though he is suffering from this nervous system disease he doesn’t stop living his life. He has had Parkinson’s for the past 18 years.

Fox’s wife Tracy Pollen has been his rock he said to Dr. Oz. Fox meant that as a compliment. They seemed to really love each other and have been married for 20 years.

Dr. Oz asked Pollen how their relationship has changed since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She said that when they were first married he was working all the time, which has changed and he now has more time with her. The children said that he is shaky. Pollen said that their children are extremely empathetic. Fox said that sometimes it can be difficult if he has to do something with them at school. Fox seemed to value his time with his children.

Oprah referred to the book that Fox wrote recently called, “Always Looking Up,” and pointed out how their relationship has grown stronger because of Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Oz visited with Fox at an ice skating rink where they both went ice skating. What was so surprising was when Fox started skating on the rink; you would have never guessed that he had Parkinson’s. Fox was skating forwards and backwards without any problems whatsoever. Once he was back to taking off his skate the shaking returned.

Fox explained that he has to have multiple plans to get thing done each day depending on the symptoms.

Dr. Oz if he is embarrassed by his condition. Fox said that you have to let go of your vanity and live your life. He said that the biggest frustration is when he wants to sit down and not being able to sit down. He described it like having a four year old climbing on you all the time while you are trying to get something done.

Dr. Oz said that if you get diagnosed with a disabling disease you worry that your family may not love you any more, but in the case of Fox his family loved him which made him invincible.

Oprah showed a clip were President Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research. Fox wasn’t able to be there that day because he was in the Himalayas. He said that it is absolutely crucial that the stem cell research move forward.

Oprah asked him how much medicine he took before coming on the show today. Fox said that it really depends and you have to try to make adjustments.

Fox said that too much medicine could make his sway from side to side.

Dr. Oz brought a real human brain on the show of a 50 year old male. He shows were the impulse center of the brain on the inside is located in the cerebellum. He showed where lines are not present in Parkinson’s disease. Stem cells could be placed in the brain to regenerate the damaged brain area. Dr. Oz said that embryonic stem cells are hard to control them which could turn into cancer. In the last year there was an amazing 10 year advancement using the skin cells from your own body. Dr. Oz said that he thinks that they are single digit years like 8-9 years to treat Parkinson’s and Diabetes.

Fox is a real optimist. He tries to make the best of everything. He said that he is an incurable optimist.

What is it like to brush his teeth? Oprah reads out of his new book how he manages brushing his teeth.

Fox said that when he is sleeping he is absolutely still. He has to put on hard shoes right away in the morning to keep his feet from curling up in the morning. He said that is a problem with dystonia that he has with the disease.

Oprah asked what would happen if he didn’t take any pills? Fox said that he thinks that his body would eventually freeze.

Next on the show they interviewed a 37 year old woman that has dystonia on one side of her body. She has had the condition for the past year and a half. Her neck is on the side. It looks like a very frustrating life. But she manages to work still. She wasn’t always this way and just started to have a stiff neck that went to one side. She takes Botox injections to help treat the pain and muscle spasm.

She said that people thinks that they see her as mentally retarded but she isn’t. Fox said that when people see others with disability the music starts playing.

Dr. Oz said that medication can sometimes cause dystonia. Sometimes it is genetic. The lubricating cells gets knocked off and muscles that are over strong. He said that having a hunchback is a similar condition.

Fox said that the condition sucks, but he said that it is what choices that you can make and if you make those choices well, you can have a good day.

Fox explained why he decided to have children even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Oz said that the more that you are around someone with Parkinson’s disease you forget that they have the movements and are looking into their eyes and are interested in the person. Fox joked around saying that his body language lies.

Fox said that he was an idiot at first when he learned about the diagnosis. He drank to self medicate. Then he got his act together and they had more kids then. He said that Tracy sees past the physical stuff and likes him as they laugh together. They both love their kids and they are having a good time together.

Fox said that in May they are airing a documentary about optimism. That was why he was in the Himalaya. Michael J. Fox Adventures of an Incurable Optimist airing on ABC on May 7th.

Fox’s new book is called “Always Looking Up” and is about his optimism and living with Parkinson's disease.

By: Nicole Wilson

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