Michael J. Fox 'Always Looking Up' with Dr. Oz - Show Recap

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Married for more than 20 years, living with Parkinson's Disease for 18 years, with a new Primetime special and book, Always Looking Up, Michael J. Fox has been back in the spotlight - especially now that President Barack Obama recently passed a bill lifting the restrictions on stem cell research. The changes made in the bill will open up the ability for researchers to study stem cells to a greater degree and potentially find the cure or advanced treatments for a number of diseases - including Parkinson's.

Clips from an interview with Michael and his wife/mother to his 4 children, Tracy Pollan, was shown. In the interview, Michael described his wife as more than his rock because she is not rigid like stone, but more fluid in her love and support. Tracy expressed that while it was difficult earlier in their relationship when Michael was often gone working, she appreciates the time they spend together now as a family, even though his disease takes more of a toll on his daily life. Michael has taken care to explain his disease to his children in a way they can understand, and makes the most of every moment with them.

During Dr. Oz's visit with Michael, the 2 played a ice hockey in Central Park while discussing Michael's experience living with Parkinson's. Growing up in Canada, Michael was always playing hockey; which was evident as the pair hit the ice. Michael explained to Dr. Oz that his regimen of pills changes daily according to his symptoms. Gliding across the ice with ease, Michael shared with Dr. Oz that vanity is the first thing that has to go instead of letting life pass you by embarrassed. Michael did admit that it's frustrating at times not being able to control his movements, challenging his patience and focus.

Michael joined Oprah and Dr. Oz on stage and was first asked how he felt about President Obama moving stem cell research forward. With Michael being in the Himalayas filming a documentary, he was unable to be present at the signing, but is very excited by the possibilities of the research.

Michael shared that it took a lot of medication to prepare him to be able to sit and be interviewed with Oprah. It takes time for the medication to be effective and it doesn't always work as intended. Some of Michaels symptoms, he shared, are from his medications and not from his disease.

Dr. Oz brought a male human brain to the show to illustrate how Parkinson's Disease affects the function of the organ and how stem cell research could benefit those living with the disease. Black lines in an area of the brain were described by Dr. Oz as the lubrication that help the gears of the brain function properly. With Parkinson's, those black lines are missing and the gears get stuck, causing the body's flow not to move as intended. Stem cell research could be the key to finding how to replace those cells in the brain and have them regenerate themselves, allowing the gears to once again move smoothly.

With stem cell research on hold in the past, medical technology has advanced in other ways and have also found a technique that uses skin cells to regenerate perfectly matching cells for replacement in the body. As embryonic stem cells are prone to cancer, shared Dr. Oz, skin cells do not hold that risk making them safer. The technology advanced 10 years in the last year, and a plausible solution to Parkinson's symptoms will be possible in less than 10 years, says Dr. Oz.

In Michael J. Fox's book Always Looking Up, he shared that for all Parkinson's has taken from him in the last 18 years, characteristics of greater value have been given. Michael has been able to look at his loss as opening a door for him to see other abilities he possessed and having more time to grow and connect with his family. Looking at his life to find what he wouldn't have experienced if he didn't have Parkinson's, Michael is able to see the gifts of his time with his family, writing a book and being able to travel as an activist. Michael sees his disease as a part of his life, but does not let it define him.

In a section of his book, Michael describes the start of each of his days as he works to get out of bed, shower, and brush his teeth. Waking up to begin his medication regimen, Michael must then put on hard shoes which help prevent his feet from curling. Brushing his teeth is a unique challenge to coordinate at first, but the actual brushing is freeing because he can let his hand move as it will without trying to be still. The only stillness Michael experiences is when he is sleeping, but he still can look himself in the mirror in the morning and be grateful for the day that is ahead.

Last May, 37 year-old Rogers Hartman found her body pulling sideways so far that after 1 week she was bend in a 90 degree angle, unable to stand up straight. Rogers was diagnosed with Dystonia, a disease which causes her muscles to contract and twist. Camera followed Rogers as she moves through her day - taking medication immediately when she gets up as they wear off through the night. Able to work from home as a TV and film producer, Rogers often has to work in her bed from the pain - describing her life as draining.

On the show Rogers explained that it was difficult for people to begin to see her differently, always considering herself athletic. Using a cane to help walk and also as a sign to others that she has a medical condition, Rogers expressed that she is often looked at as if she has a low IQ and is judged by how she appears. Even her friends have responded to her as if they will break her and often feel sorry for her or associate her life with pain.

Michael and Rogers on Moving Forward:

Michael shared that it is possible to choose happiness no matter what diagnosis you receive. Because there are many things in life that are out of your control, take the opportunity to control the million other choices you have in your life each day.

Rogers and Michael both shared on the show that their fear has disappeared because of being able to live through the worst and still have the love and support of their family to help them get through. Michael shared that he chose to have 3 more children with his wife after his diagnosis because he didn't want Parkinson's to define him or stop him from moving forward with his life. His children may have missed some parts of him because of his disease, but he shared that they also gained from his condition in many other ways.

Michael J. Fox's Special:

Michael traveled to the Himalayas to do a documentary from Bhutan where he researched how they have high levels of happiness and optimism. The show will air in May and was the perfect assignment for Michael as he is also the incurable optimist.