Boxing great, Muhammad Ali was honored Thursday, November 5th at the annual Fight Night DC, Fight for The Children, and while the greatest himself was unable to make it, his daughter Hana Ali represented the family at the event.
“He’s good. He has Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s is progressive, but he handles it well,” she said. “He’s not in any pain, he handles it very gracefully and skillfully.
The 73-year-old former world champion has been in poor health since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.
MUST SEE: Muhammad Ali’s Wife Shares Lessons In Caregiving
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that attacks the nervous system, affecting movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
“He has a routine. He gets up every morning, has physical therapy, watches old movies – old westerns are always playing for him — and he just drives around, goes to different events now and then, and goes to movie theaters. So he has a wonderful full life, a lot of love, and grandkids. He’s doing good.”
“He can’t speak much but he still can talk. It’s always best in the morning,” she said. “But when we’re in the car driving, he likes to press his nose to the window and wait for someone to recognize him. He loves being Muhammad Ali, he loves the effect that he has on people, making them smile.
Now, the Louisville native continues to fight his toughest battle as his health continues to deteriorate.
“It’s hard seeing him as he is today,” said Gene Kilroy, who became a business partner and close friend of the superstar. “Muhammad Ali is a prisoner in his own body.”
Kilroy forged a lifelong friendship with “The Greatest” after the pair met at…
… the Rome Olympics in 1960.
“It takes huge effort for him to make the simplest communication now, but when he does, every word is worthwhile,” continues Kilroy.
“But even now he has no fear,” Kilroy says. He remembers hearing his longtime friend say, “I’ll stay here as long as God wants me to. When my time comes I’ll have no regrets. I have achieved a lot.”
In December 2014, Ali was rushed to hospital with pneumonia.
He was readmitted a few weeks later suffering from a urinary tract infection after being found unresponsive in his bed.
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