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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Another ‘Missouri’ Stem Cell Hero |
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October 6, 2006
The upcoming election in Missouri is of great importance to the future of stem cell research for two reasons: First, because of Amendment 2 – the Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. This will keep SCNT and embryonic stem cell research legal in Missouri, allowing the research to flourish and trumping the annually proposed bans by the extreme right wing element. Second, because both Missouri senators voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act - and if Claire McCaskill wins the senatorial election one of those votes would flip from Nay to Aye. Since only four more votes are needed to veto-proof the senate, Missouri’s senate race is critical.
Yesterday evening, my wife, daughter and I attended a political fundraiser for McCaskill that was a bit unusual - unusual because it was a “single-issue” event. The single issue was embryonic stem cell research and the guest of honor was Michael J. Fox.
When we arrived I spotted Richard Martin, McCaskill’s campaign manager, walking over to me and I broke away from some of the guests to shake hands with him and say hello. “We’re running a little late,” he said.
Mingling in a large room filled with stem cell research advocates, which for me is a pleasant pastime, I hadn’t noticed. I glanced at my watch and it was about 10 minutes beyond the scheduled start time, but that’s not unusual. Last month, when Bill Clinton had come to St. Louis on Claire’s behalf, he was closer to an hour late. Then Richard said, “Michael isn’t feeling too well.”
As everyone knows, Fox suffers from Parkinson’s and my nonchalance about the ten minutes quickly morphed into concern for him, but Richard told me that Michael had assured him he was “well enough” and would arrive in a short while. Then Richard disappeared to go do those things campaign managers do at such events.
About thirty minutes later, after enjoying some good conversation, wine and hors d’oeuvres, I saw Richard waving at me. I walked over to him. “Michael’s over there,” he said, pointing to another room across the lobby. He ushered me, along with my wife and daughter, to the guard at the door. He whispered something to the guard, then turned back to me and said, “He’ll take care of everything.” And once again, Richard disappeared to do “campaign manager stuff.”
The guard placed a little star on each of our name tags, opened the door, and said, “Welcome, sir, ladies.” It took me by surprise to see the room was filled with a second crowd. Fortunately, my wife leaned in close and softly explained that we were in the VIP room and that’s what the little star on the name tags designated. I’m sure I must have looked a little miffed because I remember thinking, “Me? The VIP room?”
There was more conversation, more wine and hors d’oeuvres, and there was a line formed that stretched the entire length of the room. I strained my neck a little to determine why. People were lining up to shake hands with Michael.
From a distance, I could see the actor that we watched grow up on Family Ties and now enjoy on Boston Legal. He was shaking hands with the guests and posing with them for pictures, a seemingly perpetual series of strobes from digital cameras. And for each photo, he flashed that same boyish smile that won the hearts of television viewers years ago.
But he’s no kid anymore. And his tremors and body spasms were noticeably worse in that room than I had seen on TV. Worse than on Boston Legal. Worse than when testifying in Congress. Worse. And he was sweating. His hair was visibly dampened from perspiration. It was obvious. He was not having one of his better days.
When we eventually made it to the front of the line, I shook his hand and thanked him for all the excellent work he does raising money for Parkinson’s research and speaking out on the stem cell issue. I asked him if he’d like to sit down. There was a chair right there and he could have certainly made himself comfortable. In fact, I could see no reason he should remain standing.
Like a soldier on watch he said, “Thanks very much, but no,” making clear he’d suffer the strain and discomfort to complete what he considered his duty.
As quickly as I could, I lined up my wife and daughter, handed our camera to a friend and told her to take the shot quickly. This was going to be one take and one take only. [Flash] And it was done. I quickly guided my wife and daughter away, saying, “Let’s get the next folks up here.” Turning back to look over my shoulder, I heard him softly say, “Thank you.” Soldier that he was, he wasn’t leaving his post until his watch was over, but he seemed to appreciate my trying to speed along the process.
A few minutes later, we were all called back to the main room. Claire McCaskill was at the microphone and she introduced Michael. He was still exhibiting those body spasms, he was still perspiring, and when the applause and cheering subsided, he began to address the crowd. “I’m a one issue guy,” he said. “I’m about stem cells.” More applause, more cheers.
He spoke about the necessity of making the world a better place. He explained that he was not the only victim of his Parkinson’s, but how his wife and children were also suffering with his disease. He jabbed at President Bush for his veto of HR810, joking that the administration had “exhausted the list of things they could possibly screw up - until someone figured out they hadn’t yet screwed up medicine.” He explained that the issue was so important to so many that he had to come to Missouri to help Claire McCaskill win.
Standing at the microphone, he spoke only briefly, and he spoke right through the spasms and the tremors and the perspiration. But what touched everyone, what the crowd really noticed, was that he spoke from his heart. He hugged Claire and quickly exited a side door close by, his duty complete.
I was struck by his perseverance through the event. Well, it was ‘event’ for us guests. For Michael J. Fox it was more like an ordeal. Had he simply stayed in his hotel room and declined to appear, everyone would have understood.
Everyone but Michael J. Fox.
He is on a mission to help heal the world. He is motivated, focused like a laser, and this ‘one issue guy’ will allow nothing to prevent him from completing his duty.
In my book, that makes him a hero.
- Jeff Eisen |
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Editor’s note: Claire McCaskill was named a “Stem Cell Champion” by the Coalition of Stem Cell Research Supporters.
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