Living with Parkinson's Online Quiz | Mixed People

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Michael J. Fox is the poster boy for sufferers of Parkinson's Disease. He was diagnosed with it at age 30 and has served as a spokesperson for efforts to raise awareness and work for a cure. On what television show did he have his initial success?

Answer: Family Ties

Michael J. Fox (1961- ) starred as Alex P.Keaton in the American television show "Family Ties", which ran from 1982-1989. His most famous movie appearance was playing Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" trilogy.

In 1998 he disclosed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 (at age 30). Many of his early successes came after this initial diagnosis. He starred in the television series "Spin City" from 1996-2000 when the disease was more noticeable. He appeared in many other shows until the effects of Parkinson's forced his retirement from acting in 2020.

After his initial diagnosis Fox went through a phase of denial, depression, and heavy drinking. Eventually he sought help and has been a strong advocate for those affected and leads a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of those affected.

2. Parkinson's is twice as likely to strike men as women, although women experience a faster progression and a higher mortality rate. Janet Reno is one of these unfortunate women who had Parkinson's. What position did she hold under Bill Clinton's presidency?

Answer: Attorney General

Janet Reno (1938-2016) was Attorney General for all of President Clinton's 8 years in office. Reno graduated from Harvard with a law degree and was appointed State Attorney for Dade County (Miami, Florida) in 1978. Clinton appointed Reno in 1993 to the Attorney General post after two earlier nominees were sidetracked. She had some notable successes in office, notably successful prosecution of terrorist cases and the use of DNA to review previous convictions. She also had some regrettable failures, such as the Waco Branch Davidians and erroneous Atlanta Olympic accusations against Richard Jewell.

She was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1995 and lived an active life until her death in 2016.

3. Muhammad Ali displayed the speech and locomotion effects of Parkinson's after his boxing career ended. What noteworthy achievement did he accomplish at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta?

Answer: Lit the Olympic flame

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American boxer and activist. He won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games at Rome under his birth name of Cassius Clay. In 1963 he won the heavyweight boxing title by defeating Sonny Liston, but was stripped of his title when he refused induction into the US military during the Vietnam War. He was allowed to box again in 1970 and fought three memorable fights against Joe Frazier during his comeback.

By 1979 Ali was showing signs of Parkinson's with trembling hands and slowed speech. In 1998 he worked with Michael J Fox to raise awareness of the disease, and they made a joint appearance before the US Congress to request additional research funding.

Although Ali's refusal to serve in the military was condemned by many, opinions changed over the course of his life and he became a beloved figure, partly due to the humanitarian work he performed after retirement. He received the honor of lighting the Olympic flame for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and had great difficulty walking, showing marked trembling while doing it.

4. Parkinson's strikes even the most fit. Roger Bannister broke the physical and psychological barriers of being the first man to run a mile under 4 minutes before suffering from Parkinson's later in life. What was the main career or hobby had Sir Roger been doing after his track career ended?

Answer: Doctor of Neurology

Roger Bannister (1929-2018) was the first man to run a mile under 4 minutes in a competition. Incidentally the race announcer that day in 1954 was Ross McWhirter, later known for his Guinness Book of Records. Bannister had started running while at Oxford, and gradually lowered his time to 4:10. However, he finished fourth in the 1500 meter run at the 1952 Olympic Games.

Bannister, John Landy of Australia, and Wes Santee of the US were all close to breaking the 4-minute mile barrier. After Bannister achieved his milestone, Landy then broke his record. They met in the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, where Bannister bested Landy in one of the most famous distance competitions ever.

Bannister retired from running in 1954 at age 25, and spent the next 40 years as a doctor in the field of neurology, where he published more than 80 papers. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011 at age 81.

5. Alan Alda is a noted American television and movie actor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease late in 2015 at age 78. What was the name of the character he played in the television show, "M*A*S*H".

Answer: Benjamin Franklin Pierce

Alan Alda (1936-) is an American actor, born Alphonso D'Abruzzo, who has starred in television, movies, and theater. His most famous role was playing medical doctor Benjamin Franklin (Hawkeye) Pierce in the long-running television show, "M*A*S*H". He assumed the role on the television show played by Donald Sutherland in the movie. The series was originally planned as a light-hearted comedy, but assumed a much more serious tone in later years, especially after Alda assumed a role in the direction of the show.

Alda had contracted polio at age 7 and served six months as a gunnery officer in Korea. In 2018 he announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's 3 years earlier.

6. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2018 and retired from active touring. One of the hit songs I wrote was "Solitary Man" and a favorite album was "Hot August Night". What is my name?

Answer: Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond (1941- ) is a popular American singer and songwriter, known for songs such as "Sweet Caroline", "America", and "Song Sung Blue". He has sold over 100 million records and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In January 2018 Diamond announced that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and would no longer tour, canceling planned dates in Australia and New Zealand. He still plans to write and record songs. In July 2018 he gave a surprise concert in Colorado, where he now lives, to thank firefighters and their families for their efforts containing a nearby fire.

7. Ozzy Osbourne announced he had Parkinson's Disease in 2020, although he said his first diagnosis occurred in 2003. He made headlines in 2010 for a noteworthy event outside of the field of pop music. What was it?

Answer: Received complete genome sequencing and analysis

Approximately 1000 people were in the first group to have their genome sequenced and analyzed. The company, Knome.inc, requested the rock star's blood to analyze it to determine what part his genes played in his legendary lifestyle. The results showed an increased predisposition for alcohol dependence of something like six times higher and an increased level of hallucinations.

They found a functioning change in his TTN gene, which is associated with a number of things in the nervous system, including deafness and Parkinson's.

8. Many observers noted the physical decline of a very active and robust pope and suspected it was the effects of Parkinson's. The initial diagnosis of Parkinson's wasn't disclosed to the public until two years afterwards. Which pope was this?

Answer: Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), born in Poland as Karol Wojtyla, was elected pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 1978. In 1942 after the death of all other family members he entered an underground seminary in Krakow. He was credited with saving the lives of several Polish Jews during the war.

He was elected pope as a compromise candidate, and then served over 25 tears in the role. During his pontificate he visited 129 countries, meeting popular reception in most places, even those with historical religious animosity. Many credit him with inspiring Polish rebels in overthrowing their Communist rule.

As a young man, he was very athletic and was active through much of his papacy. However, two assassination attempts and cancer scares had slowed him down before he received his diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2001. He continued to tour even though the disease limited his ability to speak and walk.

9. Early onset of Parkinson's Disease is rare. One person diagnosed at age 40 was Davis Phinney, a former Olympic medalist and elite athlete. In what sport did he, his wife Connie Carpenter, and their son Taylor excel?

Answer: Bicycle racing

Davis Phinney was one of the top American bicyclist of the 1980s and 1990s, winning a bronze medal in 1984 Olympics and two stage victories in the Tour de France. He also won one US National Road Racing championship and finished 2nd for the 1988 Tour de France green jersey.

His wife, Connie Carpenter-Phinney, at age 14 finished 7th in the 1500 meter speed skating race in the 1972 Olympics. When injuries prevented her from participating in the 1976 Olympics, she turned to cycling, a sport many speed skaters use for cross-training. In 1984 she won an Olympic gold medal in the Women's Cycling Road Race. Their son, Taylor Phinney, also had a long career in road racing.

Davis Phinney was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 40. He underwent deep brain stimulation in an attempt to control the disease, which required implanting electrodes in either side of the brain powered by a pacemaker in his chest. The experimental method reduced his shaking, but it's reported he still has balance issues.

10. I am a noted figure in the Civil Rights struggle in the US, who first gained public acclaim with Operation Breadbasket and Operation PUSH in Chicago. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2015. Who am I?

Answer: Reverend Jesse Jackson

Reverend Jesse Jackson (1941- ) was active in the Civil Rights movement from a relatively young age. He participated in a sit-in in his hometown (Greenville, South Carolina) public library. He worked with the Reverend Martin Luther King and participated in the march from Selma to Montgomery. King asked him to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference office in Chicago.

Jackson established Operation Breadbasket in Chicago to increase hiring of African Americans and provide more opportunities. It was succeeded by Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). In 1984 and 1988 Jackson attempted to win the Democrat party nomination for president.

In 2015 he was diagnosed as having Parkinson's and in 2017 announced it to the general public.

Source: Author SixShutouts66

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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Living with Parkinson's Trivia Quiz

Parkinson's is a debilitating disease that can hinder one's quality of life. What do you know about these people afflicted with Parkinson's, who have not let it stop them?

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