Robin Williams feared Parkinson’s disease would stop him cycling and lead him to back addiction, says friend

Health battle ... Robin Williams at an event in New York City in May 2013. Picture: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

ROBIN Williams may have killed himself because he feared his Parkinson’s disease would stop him cycling and lead him to addiction again, a close friend believes.
Tony Tom, who is the owner of a bike shop near Robin’s California home, told The Sun the actor threw himself into riding to help beat drink and drugs and battle depression.
He said Williams may have feared returning to his addictions when the degenerative brain disorder made biking impossible.
“It would have affected his ability to ride, no doubt,” said Tom, who was also Williams’s cycling partner.
“He could have turned back to his earlier vices if he wasn’t riding and maybe that was one of the things he was thinking about.”
“For somebody as active as Robin was, both in his acting and his personal life, it would have been really hard on him.”

Love of his life ... Robin Williams and wife Susan Schneider at the premiere of "Old Dogs" in Los Angeles. Pic: AP Photo/Katy Winn Source: AP

 Williams’ wife Susan Schneider said in a statement that the actor had been struggling with the early stages of Parkinson’s disease as well as deep depression and maintaining his sobriety.
“Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly,” Schneider said.
“It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.”
Parkinson’s is a movement disorder, which attacks the nerve cells in the brain, and results in trembling of the hands, arms, legs and face, eventually leading to slowness of movement, co-ordination problems and trouble walking or doing simple tasks. It is a progressive disease and only gets worse over time.
The New York Daily News quoted a report that stated some medicines used to treat Parkinson’s can deepen depression, and that Williams’ doctors were trying to find the right mix of medication to give the actor after his diagnosis.
Yesterday, fellow actor Michael J. Fox spoke of his shock over the revelation that Williams was diagnosed with the disease shortly before his suicide.
Fox, 53, has been battling the disease since the early 1990s. The Back to the Future star told his Twitter followers he was “stunned” and said he had no idea that his “true friend” had been suffering from the early stages of the disease.

‘Stunned’... Michael J. Fox says he is shocked over the revelation that his friend Robin Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Source: Supplied

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 but kept his condition secret until 1998. As his condition worsened, he was forced to semi-retire from acting in 2000.
The Canadian actor now works as an advocate for research towards finding a cure.

https://twitter.com/realmikefox

Fox said he was “pretty sure” that Williams had not been diagnosed with the disease when he backed the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research.

Good guy ... Robin Williams regularly performed for the troops in Afghanistan. Picture: AP Photo/US Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Michael Sparks Source: AP

Comedian Billy Connolly, who was good friends with Williams, revealed last April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and prostate cancer on the same day.
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Caring dad ... Robin Williams with his beloved daughter Zelda. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Schneider added: “Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the front lines, or comforting a sick child — Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.”Like Williams’ children, Schneider said she’s taken comfort in the support she has received from his friends and fans worldwide.
“Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched,” she said.
“His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.”

Source: www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/robin-williams-feared-parkinsons