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Book Review, © Copyright 2002, Jim Loy
We know this guy. He's everything we like (good guy) and dislike (rich and famous) about Hollywood, right? But there is much to think about in this book. And he writes very naturally, and unassumingly, and (you may not notice this) very well. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Mr. Fox had to either "adopt a siege mentality, or embark upon a journey." He eventually chose the latter. Judging from his book, this has enriched him greatly. He says, "I consider myself a lucky man." This statement reminds me of Lou Gehrig's statement that he considered himself the luckiest man in the world. You may doubt it concerning both men, but it makes sense, for tragedy has opened up a new life to both of them. Parkinson's disease is only a little less fatal, and tragic, than Lou Gehrig's disease. It can be humbling and depressing, as well as crippling.
I have said elsewhere (in If I Were Blind), "Some people deal with tragedy very well. Ludwig van Beethoven and Stephen Hawking come to mind. Other people let tragedy defeat them. Some people let the lack of tragedy defeat them. I sometimes feel like that, when days go by without accomplishing anything." Michael J. Fox may not be as impressive as Beethoven or Hawking, but I am impressed by his courage and strength, and I wish him even greater luck and happiness.
The author's profits from this book are being donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (see michaeljfox.org).
To order this book, click Amazon.com (goes directly to this book).