Michael J. Fox faces constant battle

Apr 3, 2009, 9:20 GMT

Michael J. Fox says his Parkinson's disease is like an unruly child.

The 'Back to the Future' star - who was diagnosed with the incurable illness 18 years ago - refuses to let his condition get the better of him but admits it is a battle to cope with its effects every day.

Fox, 47, told US talk show host Oprah Winfrey: "This is one fact of my life, but it's not the totality of my life. I'm a dad, I'm a husband, I'm an activist, I'm a writer and I'm just a student of the world.

"As much as I love kids, it's like having a four-year-old climbing on you all the time. You're just trying to be patient and focus."

Showing how dexterous he remains despite the disease - which often impairs the sufferer's ability to move, their speech, and other motor functions - Fox took to the ice and skated for a segment on the show.

The actor - who is releasing a new book 'Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist' - said: "I can skate better than I can walk."

Fox - who has four children, Sam, 19, 14-year-old twins Aquinnah and Schuyler and Esme, seven, with his wife Tracy Pollan - recently revealed he doesn't miss his acting days.

Fox, who admitted he would watch one of his movies if he saw himself on TV, said: "There's no longing in it. There's not this deep feeling of loss or anything.

"It's just like, acknowledgement that that was part of what brought me to where I am now, and it was pretty fun."