Tracy Pollan believes that her husband Michael J. Fox\u2019s children are more empathetic because of their dad\u2019s longtime battle with Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
While the actress was quick to note she doesn\u2019t believe they are \u201cbetter people\u201d because of the diagnosis, she \u201cdefinitely\u201d believes it led to them having greater compassion for others.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think that growing up with a parent who has a health challenge, it just brings out an empathy and protection naturally, and they\u2019ve always been like that,\u201d she told Page Six at the annual \u201cA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson\u2019s\u201d Gala<\/a> on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Tracy Pollan says her kids have more compassion because of their father Michael J. Fox\u2019s longtime battle with Parkinson\u2019s disease. Steven Bergman\/AFF-USA.COM \/ MEGA<\/p>\n \u201cI do think that growing up with a parent who has a health challenge, it just brings out an empathy and protection naturally,\u201d she told Page Six at \u201cA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson\u2019s\u201d Gala. Page Six<\/p>\n Last year, Pollan \u2014 who married Fox in 1988 \u2014 confessed that it can sometimes be \u201chard\u201d to stay optimistic<\/a> while Fox continues to battle the progressive neurological disorder.<\/p>\n Pollan, 65, and Fox, 64, share four children<\/a>: Sam, 36, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 30, and Esm\u00e9, 24.<\/p>\n The \u201cBack to the Future\u201d star started to display symptoms of early-onset Parkinson\u2019s in 1991 and was diagnosed shortly after.<\/p>\n The \u201cBack to the Future\u201d star was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s in 1991. Instagram\/@tracy.pollan<\/p>\n Pollan and Fox share four children: Sam, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, and Esm\u00e9. Instagram\/@tracy.pollan<\/p>\n He went public with his diagnosis in 1998<\/a> and has been a staunch advocate for research. <\/p>\n