(29 Sep 1999) English/Nat
Canadian actor Michael J. Fox has told a Senate hearing that there is an urgent need to increase funding for research into Parkinson’s disease.
Fox joined other Parkinson’s advocates urging Congress to increase research funding for the disease by 75 (M) million U-S dollars.
Actor Michael J Fox last year made public that he had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 1991.
He told reporters he first noticed a twitch in his left little finger while on the set of the film “Doc Hollywood”.
On Tuesday, 38-year-old Fox appeared before a crowded hearing of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee chaired by Senator Arlen Specter to talk about the disease.
He told his audience that his days of quietly suffering with the disease were over.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“I had hidden my symptoms and struggles very well through increasing amounts of medication, through surgery and by employing the hundreds of little tricks and techniques a person with Parkinson’s learns to mask his or her condition for as long as possible. While the changes in my life were profound and progressive, I kept them to myself for a number of reasons. Fear, denial for sure, but I also felt it was important for me to quietly soldier on. When I did share my story the response was overwhelming, humbling and deeply inspiring. I heard from thousands of Americans affected by Parkinson’s writing and calling in to offer their encouragement and to tell me of their experience. They spoke of pain, frustration, fear and hope – always hope. What I understand very clearly is the time for quietly soldiering on is through. The war against Parkinson’s is a winnable war and I have resolved to play a role in that victory.”
SUPER CAPTION: Michael J. Fox, Actor & Parkinson’s sufferer
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that destroys brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical important for movement.
Symptoms include muscle stiffening, tremors and difficulty moving.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“It’s a constant balancing – too little medicine causes tremors and stiffness. Too much medicine produces uncontrollable movement and slurring. And far too often Parkinson’s patients wait and wait, as I am right now, for the medicines to kick in.”
SUPER CAPTION: Michael J. Fox, Actor & Parkinson’s sufferer
The disease affects about one (M) million Americans, including former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and Attorney General Janet Reno.
In 1997, the U-S Congress authorised the National Institutes of Health to use 100 (M) million to study the disease.
But Fox told the senators more funding was needed.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“With the help of daily medication and selective exertion I can still perform my job, in my case in a very public arena. I can still help out with the daily tasks and rituals involved in home life. But I don’t kid myself that will change. Physical and mental exhaustion will become more and more of a factor as will increased rigidity, tremor and dyskinesia (involuntary movement). I can expect in my 40s to face challenges most won’t expect until their 70s or 80s if ever. But with your help, if we all do everything we can to eradicate this disease, in my 50s I will be dancing at my children’s weddings. And mine will be one of (M) millions of happy stories.”
SUPER CAPTION: Michael J. Fox, Actor & Parkinson’s sufferer
Fox is the current star of the ABC sitcom “Spin City”.
He has also had starring roles in the “Back to the Future” movies.
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