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 Keith

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I can't believe your ignorance and callousness.
I can only hope that you are never faced with a life-altering disease....you'll change your tune real quick !

By Bev

Vote down Vote up Report this

Michael is an inspiration to anyone going through difficult times. He has a wonderful marriage and lives a good life. Him being a star never went to his head and he seemed to avoid the the pit falls of so many other stars. God never sleeps Michael and he is watching you and smiling.

By Cat

Sorry to be the bitter one here, but to say "Life gets really good when things get terrible", makes me vomit. Maybe it does when you're a rich Hollywood star, but NOT for the millions of us who have to worry about how we are going to house, feed, and clothe our families. Even WITH Parkinson's, his life is better than most of us. And yes, people, I DO know what it's like to live with a debilitating disease, so I am more than qualified to tell it like it REALLY is!!

By Beckw

You are correct. As much as I like Micheal J. Fox, I too disliked that statement he made. Its just not true. My life fell apart several years ago with a serious health issue, and I'm living proof to declare that my life did NOT get really good but quite the opposite. It was so bad I really didn't want to live anymore. Its a farce to say "Life gets really good when things get terrible".. totally untrue.

By Pat H

Michael has been such an inspiration to so many people. His brave public battle with Parkinsons has helped others. I think he is a true modern day hero!! Godspeed to him and his family - he is a true role model!!!

By Learned One

Ray - to be taken seriously:
1. use capitalization;
2. punctuation;
3. reasonable grammar

Otherwise, kindly keep your drool off the boards.

By David

GOD BLESS MICHAEL!You just keep on keepin' on!I remember when I saw him testify before Congress and he was shaking.I had no idea it was that bad.But I am so proud of him for not feeling sorry for himself and doing the best he can with the cards life has given him.And God bless Tracy,his wife,for being with him all these years.A Hollywood marriage that worked-who woulda thunk?

To say nothing of the fact that she looks quite gorgeous in that bathing suit-and she looks great with her hair wet too!

By john

U ARE ONE A KIND PERSONU ARE SOME PERON GOD BLESS U

By Suzie Marino

Michael, you are an inspiration to us all. It is not easy to stay so positive when the "holes" in life pop up. I was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer 2 years ago. I stay as positive and active as I can. I too have a loving family that help and my husband is my "rock". My Aunt had Parkinson's, so I know how devastating it can be. But she would not let it stop her, for 12 years she kept going as best she could. And I plan on giving it all I have too.

By Gammy

Deb, you sound like an uneducated piece of slime! Be blessed.

By emily

Michael Fox might as well give up hope for any cure in the future because Obama took care of that. Not only will there be no more research in a few years, I doubt if MJ fox will get the necessary treatment he needs because the government will deem him too expensive to deal with. This is what we all have to look forward to if this Health care is allowed to remain. The same thoughts for breast cancer research and any other research that is helping us now. There will also be no more doctors to care for us. Good luck Michael J. Fox. You and all the rest of us will need it if Health care reform in its present form is not repealed.

Absolutely! Well said... this country is going down the toilet, its a real obamination.. obamacare will kill us all.

By JM

Definately and idiot!!

All I can say is.... TEEEEEEN WOLFFFFFF!!!!! Michael has always been amazing and I wish the best for him. He is very brave.

By Bait

Deb's remarks may have been unkind and hard to take but the responses to her post are just as bad. Two wrongs never make a right. You folks who disagree with Deb should lead her by example instead of galvanizing her in her opinion because you are putting her in a defensive position.

By jedrvp

Michael may not have a high school diploma, but he has a doctorate at life and teaching important lessons to others. Our lives are all more richer because of this amazing person. (and not just because he made some of the most entertaining movies ever). We luv ya, Michael!

By Be quiet and think

To have seen the struggles of Michael along with the struggles of the people around us who are “winning” in the face of adversity gives strength to us all. No Democrat, No Republican, No Left, No Right. Just people taking and giving strength and encouragement to one another. Is it possible it is just that simple?

By nicstarnic

MICHAEL J.FOX ONE OF THE SWEETEST GUY IN THE WORLD

By Patsy Thacker

Michael,Thank you for all you've done to make all of us more aware of Parkinson's. You have always been my favorite actor. What a gift!! Thanks for all of the times you've spent making me enjoy life more. Even now, in the face of adversity you are an example for so many of us who are also in the throws of advancing chronic disease and it's affects on our lives. I KNOW if your faith in God is like mine, you know He'll always be by your side and that He loves you even more than I ever could. May God continue to bless you and give you courage to live the abundant life He has promised us if we we look to Him in faith. Thank You Michael.

By thunderballic

That's not so far fetched... anything is possible! I would try it if it mean't saving my life.. wouldn't you?

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