Michael J. Fox: actor, activist, advocate and family man. Many of us know him from Family Ties, Back to the Future, and Spin City, and in the last decade he’s become the face of Parkinson’s Disease a chronic neurological disorder he was diagnosed with in 1991. Michael J. Fox’s book Always Looking Up – The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist is a well written, comedic account of his foray into activism, advocacy, politics, faith, and family. Shaky dad riding a bicycle is what Michael’s twin girls thought their dad’s book was going to be about. It’s awfully insightful for two young girls at the time and serves as an excellent metaphor for the book because it describes Michael’s efforts to balance all the aspects of his identity: work, politics, faith and family. Not only is this a great book about Michael, but there are several vignettes with other inspirational figures as well; think Lance Armstrong, Christopher Reeves, Muhammad Ali. Always Looking Up is not a how to “remain optimistic in the face of challenge” guide but an inspirational story of how optimism combined with information leads to hope. And isn’t hope the only Good thing that ever keeps us going?
If you’re looking for a funny feel Good read I highly recommend Always Looking Up. And if you’re not, well… Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox did a Good PSA to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease years ago that you can watch below!
Tags: Always Looking Up - The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, Christopher Reeve, Lance Armstrong, Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali