'Lucky Man' by Michael J. Fox

December 26, 2013

  I’ve owned this book, the physical copy, since high school. I’ve finally gotten the chance to read it this week. I'm excited to say I read it in that short amount of time, and I loved it. It was a great read and will probably read it again in the future, once I finish Always Looking Up of course.

  Lucky Man is the first of the two autobiographies by Michael J. Fox. This first one is about his life before and leading to his famous career, here and there about his family and most importantly about his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and the events that followed after.

  For those who don’t know MJF (shame on you!), he is a Canadian-native actor who starred in Family Ties, Back to the Future and Spin City. He is awesome, to say the least, and has Parkinson’s Disease and didn’t go public until over five years after his diagnosis.

  I really enjoyed reading Lucky Man because it was a chance for me to get to know Michael through his words, not some IMDB biography or magazine articles. There was a lot that I learned about him I didn’t expect, and I learned a little about myself along the way. He was a drinker, which kind of shocked me.  It also shocked me he didn't finish high school until he took the GED. It’s not like he was a lazy bum sitting and watching TV all day; he was getting his career started.

  Reading about the moment he was told he has PD was emotional, and I teared up; no lie. I felt for him. It wasn't his choice, nor did he do anything to cause him to have this. At least from what I read and understand and at the time this book was written, there isn't a specific cause of PD or any actions by an individual that would make him or her get it, and there isn't a cure, only a way to calm the symptoms. There were many times that I wanted to cry. The symptoms are physically draining it sounds like, and it sucks. I’m proud that Michael gave a voice to those who have PD and is working to help further research that won’t only benefit himself and others with PD, but a lot of diseases that relate. Who knows... maybe the research he is fighting for will help me one day.

  I was absolutely annoyed to read about his wedding and how magazines and tabloids were intruding on their personal life, mainly at Michael and Tracy’s wedding then when his dad died. Yes, I’m a fan and would have probably enjoyed seeing a photo, but it’s none of my business. They claimed his fans should be sharing this moment with him. I’m sorry, but as a fan, I respect his space. The ceremony is about Michael and Tracy, no one else. I wouldn't even consider it majorly important to anyone besides direct family. It’s a union between the couple and God. For the fans to be involved is a ridiculous claim to make. Marriage is between two people and God, not the world. What people do for money… it’s sad! When it comes to the public knowing about his family business and even his diagnosis of PD, it’s not our business either. Like he says in the book, his employers need to now of his health if it were to impose on work, but that’s it. I wouldn't be offended if he never told the public. It’s his choice of if and when to tell anyone.

  I loved learning about the relationship between Michael and his wife Tracy. A lot of questions he asked himself about their relationship are questions that I have with my relationship and those around me. When I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety, I felt like Doug may not love me the same, but he helps me a lot and tolerates me at my worst, especially when I was adapting to the medicine. I have changed, but he still loves me and acts like I haven't. I don’t know if he thinks I have changed since we started dating, but I know I have. My anxiety over my eating habits and spending have calmed down, but I know it was difficult for him just as much as it was for me when it was at its worst. I’m happy he put up with it, but he didn't have to. The struggle I had was happening before I had a label of an anxiety disorder.

  Michael’s Nana was an amazing woman; I bookmarked the part that he talked about how she knew he was going to be famous one day and always called “Michael” not “Mike”. How crazy is that?! She knew there were big things planned for him.

  Towards the end of the book, he talks about his “jobs” after Spin City. People have said that his work has been working for the PD foundation, be he identifies his work as whatever he is doing at the moment. His efforts and time put into the foundation isn’t work, it’s his passion. I love that phrasing. It makes me want to pinpoint what I think of as a job and passion in my life. Will my career be considered my job, passion or both? I want to consider them both, but I don’t quite know what that “job” is yet. My current passion is exploring life with my own eyes and through a camera lens. Taking and editing photos may take a lot of time, but that doesn't take away from the emotion that comes with it. If I end up doing it for a living and get paid for it, it could be a job, but it’s still a passion of mine. My passion currently is to explore what this world has to offer. There is so much to learn and grow from.

  Overall, I am happy I put the time into reading Lucky Man. It was worth it. He truly is a “lucky man”. He showed me that nothing should hold me back when following my ambitions.I'm almost done with Always Looking Up, and a rant post about Rush will be coming soon!