Award-winning actor Michael J. Fox made a heartfelt speech at the 2023 Spring Moving Image Awards, where he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement honor. Despite battling Parkinson's disease for many years, Fox continues to inspire through his Hollywood career and his dedication to finding a cure for the condition.

As he took the stage in a wheelchair, Fox was greeted with a warm reception from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall. He began his speech by acknowledging his struggle with Parkinson's, saying, "I have Parkinson's, I struggle with it. It's hard, it's annoying, it's a bit more than annoying but it can be devastating for some people."

Fox revealed that he had displayed symptoms of early-onset Parkinson's as early as 1991 while filming the movie Doc Hollywood. Doctors had initially told him that he would not be able to work within a few years. The diagnosis took a toll on him, leading to heavy drinking and depression. However, he sought help and found sobriety, publicly disclosing his condition in 1998.

Explaining why he concealed his Parkinson's for so long, Fox shared, "Yeah, I didn't know what it was going to do, how it was going to manifest itself." He also admitted to taking pills to "hide" his symptoms but did not specify whether they were recreational or prescription drugs.

In his documentary, Fox detailed the emotional moment when he revealed his diagnosis to his wife of 35 years, Tracy Pollan. Despite the challenges ahead, she vowed to support him unconditionally, stating their marriage vows of "in sickness and in health."

Reflecting on their enduring partnership, Fox expressed his gratitude towards Pollan, saying, "I love Tracy obviously and she's an amazing person and has gone through a lot. I realize she has a life separate from me having Parkinson's, from me being Alex Keaton or Marty McFly, she's a person. I think that's why it's gone okay."

The actor, known for iconic roles like Alex P. Keaton in "Family Ties" and Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" series, received the Lifetime Achievement honor in recognition of his outstanding Hollywood career, as well as his unwavering commitment to finding a cure for Parkinson's.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects parts of the brain over time. Major symptoms include tremors, slowness of movement, and muscle stiffness. Other signs can include problems with balance, loss of smell, excessive sweating, and difficulties with sleep and swallowing.

Approximately 145,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson's disease. While there is no cure, various treatments, including medication, exercise, therapy, and surgery, can help manage the symptoms. Researchers continue to study the causes of the disease, with a combination of genetic and environmental factors believed to contribute.

As Fox continues to raise awareness and support for Parkinson's research, his resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains an influential figure in the entertainment industry and an advocate for those living with Parkinson's.