Michael J. Fox's wife Tracy Pollan is getting candid about the impact of his Parkinson's disease diagnosis on their family.
The Back to the Future star first disclosed his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 1998, seven years after he first received the diagnosis, which itself came three years into his marriage to Tracy.
The couple have welcomed four kids together, Sam Michael, 36, twins Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 30, and Esmé Annabel, the latter three who were born after the diagnosis.
© Getty ImagesTracy, speaking with People at the Michael J. Fox Foundation's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's Gala in New York City over the weekend, first noticed of the family's experience with Parkinson's: "Michael was diagnosed before the girls were born and very, very early into Sam's life, so it's kind of all they know, really," and maintained: "They're just incredibly supportive."
"They're very helpful to me. I lean on them a lot and [because] Michael is so optimistic, which is wonderful and really helps him, but it's really important to also understand that this is a huge challenge," she added.
Tracy continued: "It's very difficult for the family, for the caregivers, and obviously for the patient, so I think it's also important to acknowledge that, and acknowledge that it's not just all sort of easy. It's not easy," noting: "So you know, and it's hard for them, but they show up and you know, they're there for us."
© Getty ImagesTracy and Michael's eldest son Sam recently tied the knot to Molly Milstein, and Tracy also opened up about what advice she offered her son, inspired by her own nearly 40-year marriage.
"I mean, the one thing actually that I would say that's the most important thing is find something to laugh about together every day, if you can," she shared with the outlet, and noted of her own marriage: "You know what, we just take it one day at a time and it's worked."
Per the foundation's website, since it launched in 2000, they have raised over $1.75 billion dollars in their quest for more Parkinson's research and a possible cure. In honor of his steadfast commitment to the cause, last year, Michael was honored at the Time 100 Gala with the second annual Time100 Impact Award, given to trailblazers for pushing boundaries in their industries. During his speech at the time after accepting the Impact Award, touching on the progress of Parkinson's research, he shared: "We now know we are dealing with not just a clinical approach to Parkinson's disease, but a truly biological understanding of its symptoms, progress and clues towards finding a cure sooner than we ever would've hoped for."
© Getty ImagesIn addition to the Impact Award, he was also included in Time's list of 100 most influential people for 2024, along with others such as Dev Patel, Dua Lipa, E. Jean Carroll, Taraji P. Henson, Patrick Mahomes, Kelly Ripa, and Kylie Minogue. His tribute for the magazine's special annual issue was written by Ryan Reynolds, who met Michael almost 20 years ago, and is on the board of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. "I know Michael J. Fox. Like, I know him pretty damn well. He's funny. He's warm. He's handsome and intensely smart. He also falls a lot. Not just because he has Parkinson's. He falls a lot because he's unafraid to fly," he first wrote.
© Getty ImagesRyan continued: "I've watched him raise the bar for purpose and passion. It'd be kinda lazy to simply characterize him as the greatest champion of Parkinson's research on the planet," revealing: "He's someone who helped my dad, along with millions of others, feel less alone."
"It'd be kinda lazy to simply regard him as a movie star who shaped the lives of people all over the planet with a uniquely electric wit and self-aware charm. He's the sum of these beautiful parts. And so many more."
