Michael J. Fox Chats About New Book, Dropping Out of School

By Nicki Gostin Posted Apr 13th 2010 05:20PM

Michael J. Fox didn't graduate high school like a lot of us. Then again, not many of us have traveled through time in a DeLorean or fought a two-decade battle with Parkinson's Disease and managed to stay full of life and positivity. Fox, who authored a best-selling memoir, 'Always Looking Up,' is releasing a slim yet lovely new book called 'A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned.' Filled with inspirational stories and life lessons, the book is the perfect gift for a graduate or anyone yearning for the power to stay positive in the face of adversity.

Here, Fox chats with PopEater about dropping out of school, his hopes for a cure for Parkinson's and why "life gets really good when things get terrible."

This new book seems geared to impart lessons. What's the most important one?
Life gets really good when things get terrible. We all make plans, and somewhere along the way, life will create holes, and we can fill them in ways we didn't plan or expect.

You are so positive.
I'm having a good time. My life is richer because of the holes.

How did this book come about?
After I did the last one, I vowed to never write another book, because it's so much work. But my publisher came to me with the idea of writing a sort of primer geared toward students graduating from high school and college. I loved the irony of it, because I'm a high school dropout. I retold some stories from the first book and came up with some ideas. I actually had a lot of fun. As a parent putting four kids through school, I'm very familiar with a classical education, but also the idea of an informal education. You can learn economics from school or in life, by going broke. You can learn physics in school or when you fall down and bump your nose. Lessons can be learned in a structured or unstructured way. Then there are teachers in the formal sense and mentors in the informal sense. I mulled over all those things. The book is not a prescriptive -- I'm just sharing these stories.

You're a high school dropout. What would you do if one of your kids said they wanted to drop out?
My son is in college, my twins are in ninth grade, and my youngest is going to be the president of the United States. I don't think any of them would drop out, but I would take them seriously. When I left school, it wasn't because I had a problem with it, it was because I was in pursuit of a career. I did go back after 15 years and get my GED. My dad was great when I told him I was dropping out. He drove me down to Los Angeles. He lost his s**t, but he came through. I hope I would do the same thing.

Could you have imagined you would be such a positive person before you were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease?
I don't think I could have imagined the other things that have come into place. If I didn't have Parkinson's then my life would have been more of the same -- acting, traveling and being away from my family. My illness forced me to spend time with my family, to work on my foundation, and my life is so much richer because of it. It's altered my reality is such a positive way.

Are you hopeful about finding a cure with your foundation?
I think so, but I'm also realistic about what it takes. For every breakthrough there are so many failures. What I want to do is embody hope for a cure. People know we are out there and actively working for a cure and we are making lots of strides in bio markers and promoting stem cell research.

Can you imagine your life without your wife Tracy Pollan?
No, not in a million years. She's amazing. She's uncomfortable with the notion that she's a rock for me -- she doesn't view it that way. She sees us as pretty blessed in a lot of ways. She's a great mom and partner.

I think the best part about being married to Tracy is you're also related to Michael Pollan, her brother.
Yes, the Carl Sagan of food. He has become quite a figurehead. He taught me a lot, personally, about how to write and how to think about writing. And of course he's taken the subject of food into the realm of politics and made us all think about where our food is from.

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Michael J. Fox Snapshots

Actor and activist Michael J. Fox speaks during the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 28. Check out some recent pics of Fox (hint: he can swim) >>

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Michael J. Fox Snapshots

In this photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau actor Michael J. Fox receives the Distinguished Service Award during the National Association of Broadcasters show at the Las Vegas Hilton, Monday, April 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Darrin Bush)

Michael J. Fox Snapshots

Michael J Fox taking a last dip before leaving St Barth March 13, 2010 EXCLUSIVE

Michael J. Fox Snapshots

Michael J Fox taking a last dip before leaving St Barth March 13, 2010 EXCLUSIVE

Michael J. Fox Snapshots

© BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM ***NO CANADA RIGHTS*** Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan take a splash in the waters during their vacation in St. Barts. NON-EXCLUSIVE March 9, 2010 Job: 66539EX Saint Barthelemy, French West Indies www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Michael J. Fox Snapshots

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Tags: Michael J. Fox, ParkinsonsDisease

Comments

(102)

Friday 16 April

By One who knows

Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm a big M.J.Fox fan, yes, now here's a true Hollywood celebrity! Not like most idiots like Brit Spears, Sheen, and well, most of them druggies. Fox is a real icon for kids and teens, college students, etc... May God Bless you Michael!

By Pat

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm sorry but you really need to do a little research on stem cells, because you do not have a clue. Stem cells are not obtained from aborted fetuses. Don't take my word look it up for yourself. I do not believe in abortions but I do believe and support stem cell research. Stem cells are obtained from fertilized eggs that are too old to implant for pregnancy, so the only other option is to destroy them. When I say they are too old, I am talking about days old. They are not even embryos yet. What a cruel remmark you made about MJF.

By Aboona Joe

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I don't blame you guys for your responses to deb: it WAS unkind of her, to say the least. BUT: now that she said it, there IS --like it or not -- some truth to it.

By Rudy

Michael - my mom has Parkinsons - thank you for all that you do to bring both awareness and funding to find a cure for us.

Rudy

By cooclmamajan

I've been in chemo for 3 solid years and the chances of ever getting out - the good way - are slim. I'm a talker so I've gotten to know hundreds of patients and to the people who say the only reason he's positive is because he's well off I say you're wrong. I've seen destitute who have little food, who have lost their homes because of their illness who still have amazing hope and courage and a positive attitude. I've seen young and old cheer each other up, encourage one another. It's actually unusual to see people who are really down and negative.

The one thing I've noticed about MJF is that he never mentions faith of any kind. I personally rely on God and it makes all the difference but he seems to only speak of other people. That's his decision, I'm not criticizing him, just a curious thought.

By Woody

As a Parkinson's patient myself I have mixed feelings about Mr. Fox and his foundation. Though I too appreciate his efforts to find cure, I draw the line when embryonic stem cells are used to seek that cure. The way I see it, what gives me the right to extend the quality of my life for 1 day at the expense of someone who for 1 day hasn't lived LIFE.

By geemmanuel

Well said Woody I know it must be hard to say such things knowing you can be well tomorrow but you chose the right thing and the right way to do it. You are the real hero in this story.

By D

His story, his outlook, and positive thoughts are uplifting. I wonder if it would be the same if he was one of the many US citizens who have no health insurance and struggle everyday to pay medicals bills for similar illnesses.

By Jeannette

Hi Michael,

I am glad you wrote your book. I will try to find it at the local library. I have so many books I have to buy some more bookcases. My friend Beryl has Parkinson's disease also and is truly benefiting from all the newly found medicines to keep her better. Thanks in advance for writing your book. Jeannette and Satin Hayes

By Gina

Love Him!!! He is the most amazing person! Keep moving forward Michael!! : )

By Janet

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

There was a recent study of Parkinson's...did anyone see it?
This man had it extremely bad. Could not stand on his own, etc.
BUT he COULD ride a bike. The video showed him riding the bike, going in and out of cones, making turns....all perfectly.
When he got OFF the bike, he could walk and stand normally for up to a couple of hours.
They are not sure why, but they think maybe the repetitive motion is sending signals to the brain.
Anyway, I thought it fascinating and hopeful for those that have it.

By papi looie

HEY MIKE GO RIDE A BIKE

By pdowell

Michael Fox and family are fantastic.

By craig

PARKINSONS........I HAVE HAD IT FOR 10 YEARS .........WHEN I FEEL DOWN I JUST LOOK AROUND AND I REALIZE HOW LUCKY I AM......LIFE IS RELATIVE LIKE THAT... :)
HATS OFF TO MY SISTER AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO FIGHT CANCER EVERYDAY AND DONT QUIT EVEN WITH SURGERY AFTER SURGERY AND TREATMENT AFTER TREATMENT THAT LEAVE THEM SICK FOR A WEEK AFTER.......I LOVE YOU JAN.......AS FOR ME ??????? I SHAKE.......I SHUFFLE MY FEET........I AM STIFF AT TIMES.......I HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF DOCTORS THAT DO THEIR BEST FOR ME............ AND I HOPE FOR A CURE FOR ALL OF US.......GOD BLESS

By Mike

I bet that nasty Deb is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Bunch of nasty devil-worshippers.

By Tom McKay

Thank You Michael for the great work you are doing and the millions of dollars you have raised for parkinson's research. My wife suffered parkinsons for 25 years also her sister and twin cousins. No one should ever have to suffer the devestation of this terrible disease. Just ignore the stupid words of deb. It is the statement of a mean, ignorant person. God Bless you and your family. I pray every day for a breakthrough cure....Tom

By CONSTANCE & MONTY

WELL, SHE CRUSHED YOUR PERFECT IMAGE OF YOUR HERO BUT TRUTH BE TOLD.........GOT A POINT. TRUTH HURTS, HUH?

I GUESS IT'S ONLY LEGITIMATE WHEN IT'S THE "OTHER PERSON".

TEA BAGGERS, WHERE ARE YOU? SARAH, WHAT'CHA GOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS????????????????????????????????????????????????????? YOU BETCHA.

By spence318

Ok for the people who have responded to Deb about being a idiot stem cell's can be taken from the umbilical cord with a live birth they can also be obtained from fertilised egg's consisting of about 100 total cell's or from one's own bone marrow so the question about Michael using stem cells from his wife's pregnancy are justified i would be surprised if there was not a attempt to use stem cells from one of his children's birth why not? it doesn't hurt the fetus in anyway

By JIM

I really enjoyed your first book and look forward to reading the next! I really admire you. Thanks for all that you do!!
Jim

By paula

Michael you are such an amazing and truly special person. Humble is a word to describe you. May you and your beautiful family continue to be blessed.

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