Martin Scorsese attends premiere with wife Helen Morris amid her Parkinson’s battle and daughter Francesca – after praising Michael J. Fox for his support throughout his partner’s journey with degenerative disorder
Martin Scorsese attended the Tribeca Festival premiere of Fish Out of Water with his wife of 24 years Helen Morris in NYC on Sunday – amid her 30 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
The legendary director, 80, and his fifth wife, 74, were joined by their daughter Francesca, 23 for the family outing – which came days after Scorsese praised Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with the degenerative disorder in 1991 – for his support to Helen.
Scorsese proudly posed up with his wife and daughter. Francesca has appeared in his films The Departed, Hugo, and The Aviator, and had a leading role in HBO/Sky’s miniseries We Are Who We Are in 2020.
Scorsese is also father to daughters Cathy, 57, and Domenica, 46, from his relationships with Laraine Marie Brennan and Julia Cameron.
Helen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease – a long-term degenerative disorder which affects the nervous system and motor skills – in 1990.
Family: Martin Scorsese attended the Tribeca Festival premiere of Fish Out of Water with his wife of 24 years Helen Morris in NYC on Sunday – amid her 30 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease (pictured with daughter Francesca, 23)
Helen has only spoken about her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2000 in a profile for Talk Magazine, in which she detailed her initial reaction to being diagnosed with a mild case of the disorder in 1999.
She allowed herself ‘one panicky night’ before following the Morris family motto: ‘Forge Ahead.’
She added at getting pregnant at 50 with Francesca: ‘I went to my gynecologist and he thought I was a little old. A doctor in New York was recommended, someone who specialized in high-risk pregnancies, and I got pregnant immediately.
‘I mean, I was 51. I have Parkinson’s. I was in bed for a few months, but it was easy. I watched a lot of television.’
This comes after Scorsese paid tribute to Fox, 62, last week when the Back To The Future star was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Museum of the Moving Image’s Spring Moving Image Awards.
Scorsese said: ‘Michael was a powerhouse; he was made for movies.
‘Now if you look at Michael’s filmography, pay attention to the amount of work he’s done since his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
‘And along the way, Michael not only started his foundation, which has raised so much money for research and raised just as much awareness, but he also became a real guiding light for so many others with Parkinson’s — that includes my wife, Helen [Morris]. Michael, your support has meant the world to her and to me.
Close bond: The legendary director, 80, and his wife, 74, were joined by their daughter Francesca, 23 for the family outing
Premiere: Helen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease – a long-term degenerative disorder which affects the nervous system and motor skills – in 1990
Group: Welker White, Alana Barrett-Adkins, Jade Pettyjohn, Francesca, Steve Witting and Stephanie Kurtzuba posed up
Actress: Francesca has appeared in his films The Departed, Hugo, and The Aviator, and had a leading role in HBO/Sky’s miniseries We Are Who We Are in 2020
Support: ‘And along the way, Michael not only started his foundation, which has raised so much money for research and raised just as much awareness, but he also became a real guiding light for so many others with Parkinson’s — that includes my wife, Helen’ (pictured June 6)
In April Fox got candid about living with Parkinson’s disease, telling CBS Sunday Morning: ‘[Parkinson’s] banging on the door … I’m not going to lie, it’s getting hard. It’s getting harder. It’s getting tougher.’
‘Every day it’s tougher … that’s the way it is,’ he added.
He also shared he didn’t believe he would live to see his 80th birthday. ‘You don’t die from Parkinson’s. You die with Parkinson’s. So I’ve been thinking about the mortality of it. I’m not gonna be 80. I’m not gonna be 80,’ he said.
Fox stepped away from acting back in 2020 due to his declining health.
Since his diagnosis, the iconic actor has focused his life on raising money to research the disease.
He has since raised over $1 billion in research funding via the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
In November, Fox was presented with an honorary Academy Award for his work surrounding the disease.
WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.
What are the symptoms?
The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.
Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
What are the early signs?
Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.
In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.
Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.
What are the causes?
Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease.
It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.
However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.
Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.
Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.
How is it diagnosed?
No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.
A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.
They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.
How many people are affected?
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.
What happens if someone is diagnosed?
According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving assessment.
The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.
People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.
Can it be treated?
Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.
The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.
What medication is available and what are the side effects?
Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as shaking and movement problems.
There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.
The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.
What therapy is available?
There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson’s through the NHS.
Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.
Does this change the way you live?
Most people’s life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.
It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.
Those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.
Source: Read Full Article
