Michael J. Fox just hit a $2.5 billion milestone—and it could change Parkinson’s care forever

Despite relying on a wheelchair and admitting he no longer walks freely due to fear of falling, Michael J. Fox continues to show the world that Parkinson’s disease doesn’t mean life stops.

At 64, the Back to the Future star has turned 2025 into one of his most remarkable years yet.

From receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to returning to acting and writing another book, Fox has proven that determination can outshine limitation.

Fox’s journey through Parkinson’s has always been marked by honesty and grit.

He’s undergone spinal surgery for a benign tumour, suffered multiple fractures, and fought through infections that nearly cost him a finger—yet his sense of humour and hope remain intact.

‘I take it easy now, I don't walk that much any more. I can walk but it's not pretty and it's a bit dangerous,’ he said in a recent interview, acknowledging the toll of living with an advanced condition.

While others might see these as setbacks, Fox sees them as adjustments—just new ways to keep going.

This mindset has carried him through a milestone year filled with extraordinary achievements.

A year of extraordinary achievements

In January 2025, Fox received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States, recognising his decades of advocacy work.

The award came at a poignant moment—as his mobility declined, his influence reached its greatest height.

Then in May, he made a triumphant return to acting with a role in the third season of the comedy-drama Shrinking, his first major project since stepping back in 2020.

This time, he portrayed a character with Parkinson’s—marking the first time he could fully integrate his own experiences into a role.

‘It was the first time ever I get to show up on set, and I didn't have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything,’ he shared. ‘I just do it.’

By October, Fox released his fifth book, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, continuing to reflect on his life, career, and ongoing mission to fight Parkinson’s.

Breaking barriers in Parkinson’s research

But his biggest legacy continues through The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised more than $2.5 billion for Parkinson’s research—making it the world’s largest non-profit funder in the field.

Its groundbreaking work helped identify a Parkinson’s biomarker in 2023 and supported the passage of the National Parkinson’s Project in 2024, the first federal law dedicated to accelerating Parkinson’s research.

Fox has also been outspoken about how Parkinson’s affects bone health—something many older Australians can relate to.

Because Parkinson’s impacts balance and coordination, the risk of falls and fractures increases dramatically, especially when combined with age-related bone loss.

Fear of falling can lead to less movement, weaker muscles, and even more risk over time—a cycle Fox knows all too well.

Advocating through limitations

His transparency helps others understand that using mobility aids isn’t about giving up—it’s about staying safe and independent.

His own words and example remind us that courage often looks like adaptation, not defiance.

In 2025, The Michael J. Fox Foundation also expanded its ‘Parkinson’s IQ + You’ national event series, which educates and empowers patients and families.

Since 2019, these events have reached more than 8,700 people across 15 cities, creating spaces for community connection and shared learning.

A lasting message of resilience

For Australian seniors living with Parkinson’s—or supporting someone who is—Fox’s story offers both comfort and inspiration.

He shows that even as the disease progresses, life remains full of purpose, creativity, and connection.

‘As a parent, husband and friend, I have a lot left to do,’ Fox said recently.

It’s a simple reminder that while Parkinson’s may change the way you move through life, it doesn’t have to change your reason for moving forward.

If Michael J. Fox’s story shows how resilience and research can change the future of Parkinson’s, there’s still much more to learn about how the disease affects everyday life.

Understanding the hidden risks and how to take action early can make a powerful difference in managing symptoms and maintaining independence.

For a deeper look into what experts are calling one of the most underestimated conditions, explore the story below.

Read more: Parkinson's Disease: The Silent Killer in Your Home - How You Can Fight Back Now!

How do you stay positive when life forces you to adapt?