For those of you who are familiar with the tv-series M*A*S*H, the name Alan Alda should be familiar. Even if you are too young to have watched it; the striking way in which the title is written, may jolt a memory. Alda is known as the funniest military doctor for his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H. He is now in his 80s and has revealed that he is living with Parkinson's disease. So far; no cure has been found for Parkinson's but Alda is one of many high profile people who have despite the debilitating effects of the disease physically embraced the philosophy of not giving up and continuing to work and live the life they have chosen. Other examples are the singer of "Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond who has vowed to write and record despite his diagnosis; Jesse Jackson, the anti-apartheid stalwart who has decided to use his diagnosis of Parkinson's to find a cure for "a disease that afflicts 7 to 10 million people worldwide", Actor Michael J Fox and Scottish comedian Billy Connolly who has kept up performances despite his deteriorating condition. Alan Alda is also continuing to work as an actor and as Ellen Gamerman writes in the Wall Street Journal; the director of his latest film "Marriage Story" does not try to hide the symptoms of Parkinson's in the movie. Alda has also come up with a cunning plan to protect his wife from his dreams. – Linda van Tilburg

In 'Marriage Story,' Alan Alda lets his Parkinson's show