Michael J. Fox has been fighting Parkinson’s disease since he was first diagnosed in the 1990s, but he’s tragically losing this fight. At 54-years-old, Fox’s speech is slurred and his left foot is so unresponsive that he’s often forced to drag it behind him. He is expected to become wheelchair dependent before the age of 60.

The often reclusive star took a night out with his wife Tracy Pollan in February of this year and required several helpers to enter and exit his vehicle.

According to Radar Online, a close friend said of the night out, “It was heartbreaking. Michael’s bravery knows no bounds. But as the disease takes its toll on his body, even he is beginning to see that his battle is a losing one.”

They continued to say, “Michael sees every day as a gift, as well as an opportunity to help other sufferers. His Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has done so much and has raised millions of dollars, but a cure remains well out of reach. Michael may be down, but he’s not out. It was a struggle for him during his rare outing, but as he headed away from the restaurant he even managed to flash a peace sign to his fans from the back of the limo.”

Send your thoughts and prayers to one of the strongest public figures advocating awareness and research funding in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.