A New York Times Bestselling Author. There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Star. Husband. Father. Activist. But one word encapsulates it all: Optimist. Struck with Parkinson's disease at the height of his fame, Fox has taken what some might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. Now he writes about the personal philosophy that carried him through his darkest hours, and shows how he became a happier person by recognizing the gifts of everyday life.