Parkinson's

    Parkinson's Disease is uncurable and most commonly occurs in older people, but in some cases it has developed, around the age of 20! It is not contagious or hereditary. No one knows what causes it, but some of the dopamine cells in the brain begin to die at an accelerated rate. Everyone slowly loses some dopamine cells as the grow older. If the cells suddenly begin to die at a faster rate, Parkinson's disease develops. It is a slowly progressive disease usually occurring as people get older. Medicine can help. Michael J Fox was diagnosed when he was 30 which is rare, to get it so young.

    When you have Parkinson's, shakiness and tremors are very common. Also lots more of exercise and sleep is needed than usual. Sometimes your voice can sound higher than normal and you can become stiff. The signals from the brain can also be sent slower. The face also doesn't always show what the person is feeling. Sometimes they can be staring or crying. It is harder to smile and show how you are really feeling.

    Michael J Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 his enitial reaction was: "Get the f*** out of here," he revealed this to the public on the day before Thanksgiving 2001. He then left Spin City and started his own Foundation to help find the cure.

    Parkinson's Disease is an illness which disrupts the way the brain works. It causes shaking and cell loss to the brain. There is no known cure for the disease, but Michael J Fox, doesn't lay back and watch, he has his own foundation which has raised lots of money towards the cure for the disease. He holds lots of events to get money for the fight against Parkinson's Disease. Michael predicts that they will be a cure by 2011!

    The website for the Michael J Fox Foundation is michaeljfox.org, it gives you a chance to make a big difference and help donate and find the cure.