Muhammad Ali And Other Famous Celebrities Who Battled With Parkinson’s
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali left on Friday at the age of 74 as he battled with Parkinson’s d1sease.
Before, Muhammad Ali has been dominating the heavyweight division in the boxing world. And after his retirement in 1981, the signs of the Parkinson’s ds3ase have begun to show and in 1984, he was diagnosed with the health condition.
Read Also: Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Dies At 74
According to the speculations of the doctors, they said at Ali might have obtained the condition from the repeated blows he got from his boxing matches.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Parkinson’s is a “chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time.” This means the patient’s movements will be affected. Commonly, the patient won’t move the same before.
Parkinson’s disease is progressive – meaning, it gets worse over time though the changes will happen slowly, often over many years.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease varies from each person. But, these are the four main symptoms:
- bradykinesia or slowness of movement
- postural instability or impaired balance and coordination
- rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
- tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
Sadly, there is still no cure for Parkinson’s disease but, scientists are doing research to counter this condition. Another thing, the cause of this condition is still a mystery making doctors can’t accurately predict who will develop it or who won’t.
Other famous celebrities like Michael J. Fox, Billy Graham, Johnny Cash, and others have battled with the condition as Ali.
Michael J. Fox
He was most famous for having the role as Marty McFly in the sci-fi movie Back to the Future. But, at an early age of 30, he was diagnosed with the condition in 1991. But, after publicly announcing his diagnosis in 1998, he then established the Michael J. Fox Foundation which helps in the research for the condition.
Billy Graham
The well-known evangelist announced that he has Parkinson’s in 1992. Even though he’s still battling with the condition at the age of 93, he still acts as the Pastor to the President in what he’s been doing and fulfilled through the years.
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was a famous country singer/songwriter of the songs like “I walk the Line”, “Hurt”, “Man in Black”, and more. In 1997, he announced that he is battling with the condition. And on 2003, his battle ended.
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt was an eleven-time Grammy Award-Winning singer of the songs “You’re no Good”, and “Don’t Know Much”. In 2013, she revealed that she has the condition and disabled her to sing though she could speak.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II was the second-longest serving pope in history, 26 years. In 2003, The Vatican confirmed the condition of the Pope John Paul II and came to an end in 2005 at the age of 84.
Freddie Roach
Freddie Roach is a legendary American boxing trainer who has been the boxing coach of famous athletes like the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, five-time and four division champion Miguel Cotto, former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, and others. Still, he has been training boxers even with the condition. According to his doctors, the condition might be slowing because of his training and eye-hand coordination. He has been undergoing thorough medication.
