Michael and Parkinson’s
Until very recently, I had no idea that Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, as far back as 1991 :
Fox has shifted a good deal of his focus and energies toward The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which he launched in year 2000, and its efforts to raise much-needed research funding for and awareness about Parkinson’s disease. He wholeheartedly believes that if there is a concentrated effort from the Parkinson’s community, elected representatives in Washington, DC, and (most importantly) the general public, researchers can pinpoint the cause of Parkinson’s and uncover a cure by 2010.
On going through Fox’s website, I also discovered a surprising find : The medical students of the University of Miami recently awarded Fox their President’s Medal! As much as I admire Michael J. Fox as an actor and entertainer, I could not imagine why he deserved an honour like that.
His charming and thought-provoking Commencement Address probably answers that question best. Read this one. It’s worth it.
I read the full address using the link you provided on your entry.going beyond the obvious point that medical research holds the key to lethal ailments that afflict humanity,the message to me is that one could find a meaningful pursuit within any chosen field of work as long as it is backed by passion,skill and a thirst for knowledge and problem-solving.Thank you for the interesting entry !